MSNBC.com

Cars are fundamentally a source of personal transportation. But once drivers are beyond a Model T level of mobility, the selection of a car becomes a reflection of the owner. Because of this, carmakers seek every opportunity to engage in image-building, which helps cement the bond with existing customers and casts a net to gather in new ones who identify with the image being portrayed.

One way carmakers burnish their image and engage customers is by selling accessories that they think their customers would like, and by licensing the use of their name on products that flatter the carmaker. Browse a company’s web site or the accessories counter at the dealer and you’ll find the typical items; ball caps, polo shirts, pens, key rings and the like.

But carmakers like to differentiate themselves from competitors with branded swag that really stands apart from the rest. We’ve gathered up some of the best examples of that here.

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