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From Wikipedia and my experience in the auto biz. Posted by Randy Thatcher [Email] (#22) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Randy Thatcher) on Wed, 12 Oct 2005 20:11:40 In Reply to: What is a 'platform', really?, LeoNL, Wed, 12 Oct 2005 08:48:28 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. Many vendors refer to this as a vehicle architecture. Originally, a platform was a literally shared chassis from a previously-engineered vehicle, as in the case for the Volkswagen Beetle frame under the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. The first generic platform to be shared among a number of vehicles was the Ford Fox platform of the 1970s. In the 1980s, Chrysler's K-cars all wore a badge with the letter, "K", to indicate their shared platform.
Today, platform sharing is much less noticeable. Vehicle architectures consist of "under the skin" components only, and shared platforms can show up in unusual places like the Nissan FM platform-mates Nissan 350Z sports car and Infiniti FX SUV. Volkswagen A platform-mates like the Audi TT and Volkswagen Golf also share much of their mechanical components but seem entirely different. Ford Motor Company has had much success building many well differentiated vehicles from many marques off the same platforms.
From Randy Thatcher, the guy who automates car plants...
My impression is that basic floor pan components make a up a platform. That matters for 2 reasons.
1. You can stamp a basic piece and share it among models. 1 set of dies for a large part (blanker dies and/or metalforming dies)
2. You can build multiple models on the same lines because the models fit on the same dollies, stantions, hangers, and conveyors.
Examples:
Toyota Matrix, Corolla, Pontiac Vibe
RX330, Highlander
Camry, Camry Solara
The supension setup and geometry can be wildly tweaked, and the body, interior, and other things can also differ. So anyone who says a 9-3SS is the same a Malibu because they're both GM and they're both the same platform is full of crap.
Randy
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