Isuzu Geminett & Geminett II

Isuzu Geminett (Minkara).

Is always great to find new examples of badge-engineering, at least for me. I just love learning about alternate versions of cars we already know and love. So I was thrilled to discover today this, the Isuzu Geminett (いすゞ・ジェミネット) and Geminett II (いすゞ・ジェミネットII)!

Subaru Leone Owner's Club

The Geminett was a Suzuki Cultus sold starting in 1986, while the Geminett II was a Subaru Leone (Loyale in other countries). Both complemented Isuzu's lineup as commercial wagons. And they also predicted the road Isuzu took for its passenger cars, which were eventually replaced by rebadged Subarus and Hondas.

This sharing of cars, sold in an OEM basis is very common among Japanese automakers, to this day. Subaru itself would sell rebadged Nissan AD commercial wagons as Leone when that namplate was replaced by the Impreza.