From the Clever to the Bizarre: Auto Brands Make the Darndest Things

We live in a world of brand extensions—espresso machines from Starbucks, cooking utensils from the Food Network. There’s little wonder why. Parallel products launched under a major brand name can generate both revenue and increased visibility. In recent years, luxury auto brands have gotten in on the act. “It’s a good way to give people a chance to buy into a little bit of the dream,” explains Martyn Tipping, principal of brand-extension firm Tipping Gardner.