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Car Forum / Saab Cars / September 2005What does "built on the same platform" mean?
A lot of GM cars are said to be built on the same platform. (Malibu, Grand Am, Alero) What does that mean? Why do cars built on the same platform seem to vary so much in build and design quality? See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_GM_platforms As far as build and design quality are concerned, those are only minimally related to the platform the car sits on. The engine, electronics, suspension, braking systems, etc, will all vary between vehicles sitting on the same platform. And build quality refers to the actual production line quality...since vehicles on the same platform are produced in various facilities, varying levels of quality will ensue. - tex >A lot of GM cars are said to be built on the same platform. (Malibu, Grand >Am, Alero) What does that mean? Why do cars built on the same platform seem >to vary so much in build and design quality? > See: > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >>Am, Alero) What does that mean? Why do cars built on the same platform seem >>to vary so much in build and design quality? I love wikipedia! Note how GM did not realize SAAB changed the manufacturing connection points for the 9-3 convertible/sedan, and thought it could just plug the G6 convertible into the existing 9-3 Convertible production process. That must have pissed off Lutz big time! Interestingly the WJS article I read did not make this very clear when Lutz was quoted about the SAAB 9-3 having it own unique audio system. I certainly think that audio is one area where cars developed on the same platform should distinguish themselves. Have you ever seen an after market audio system that has a removable face plate? I would think a car company could spec a handful of audio "back-end" systems and then make many different control face plates to match all the different interiors. I wonder if any of the car manufacturers are doing this... Dan >> See: >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >>> Grand Am, Alero) What does that mean? Why do cars built on the same >>> platform seem to vary so much in build and design quality? To be built on the same platform means that some design components of a proven vehicle line will be used as the starting point of another newer vehicle. The reason for doing so would be a cost. It is less expensive(for GM) to build a new car from the frame or drive train up rather than designing a totally new one from scratch. > To be built on the same platform means that some design components of a > proven vehicle line will be used as the starting point of another newer > vehicle. The reason for doing so would be a cost. It is less > expensive(for GM) to build a new car from the frame or drive train up > rather than designing a totally new one from scratch. That begs the question: What exactly is a 'platform' ? A platform in the sense of a engineering platform is something (engine, chasse, frame, ect.)which has been constructed with certain attributes and operating limits. Thing can be added to that platform as long as they do not exceed the limits of the core platform. So with that in mind you can see how several vehicles could be designed off one platform. > A platform in the sense of a engineering platform is something (engine, > chasse, frame, ect.)which has been constructed with certain attributes > and operating limits. Thing can be added to that platform as long as > they do not exceed the limits of the core platform. So with that in > mind you can see how several vehicles could be designed off one > platform. <naughty schoolboy> But most modern cars don't have chassis, they have monocoque steel bodies. Engines can be shared between many types of cars, not necessarily from the same family or platform. </naughty schoolboy> > > A platform in the sense of a engineering platform is something (engine, > > chasse, frame, ect.)which has been constructed with certain attributes [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > the same family or platform. > </naughty schoolboy> Unibody construction still leaves room for "branding" of most of the body panels - front and rear clip, door skins, etc. You will see that unibody vehicles of the same platform usually share the same greenhouse (roof and glass) structure. For example, the Pontiac Grand Am, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Buick Skylark are all "N-body" cars, yet the body styling is 3 different forms of ugly. Drivetrain, suspension, and most of the running gear are interchangeable. > > > A platform in the sense of a engineering platform is something (engine, > > > chasse, frame, ect.)which has been constructed with certain attributes [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > forms of ugly. Drivetrain, suspension, and most of the running gear are > interchangeable. Ford Focus and Volvo S40/V50 doesn't seem to have much in common. > > > > A platform in the sense of a engineering platform is something (engine, > > > > chasse, frame, ect.)which has been constructed with certain attributes [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Ford Focus and Volvo S40/V50 doesn't seem to have much in common. I did say "usually" - especially where domestic (USA) GM is concerned. From Car & Driver Feb 2004: "Although Volvo designed the S40, it can't take full credit for developing the car, which shares architecture with the Mazda 3 and next-generation Ford Focus. Engineers from Ford, Mazda, and Volvo collaborated on the C1 platform, contributing to and drawing from the development pool. The fruits of this labor came to be known as "global shared technologies," or the basic components-underbody, suspension layout, steering, etc.-utilized by the three brands. According to a Volvo engineer, the shared components consist of "everything that doesn't make the brand." In other words, Ford and Mazda couldn't grab everything they wanted from Volvo's safety bag." End quote Note "underbody, suspension layout, steering, etc." They can still stick their own body, drivetrain, interior, etc. on the underpinnings. Just because the body tubs differ in appearance, does not mean that suspension mounting points, wheelbase, and basic design philosophy and geometry cannot be shared. This is the concept of "platform". It is not necessarily the exact same unibody stamping used by Ford, Volvo, and Mazda - they need to keep their own identities to some extent. > That begs the question: What exactly is a 'platform' ? "GM uses the term "architecture" to signify a set of common components, performance characteristics, a common manufacturing process, a range of dimensions and connecting points for key component systems." Autoweek: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103189 - tex > > That begs the question: What exactly is a 'platform' ? > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > - tex I sounds a lot like software, which is probably what is the real significance of platform; i.e. some pieces of CAD that can talk to each other. |
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