GM is going to give another shot at making global platforms a reality, after some noticeable recent gaffs. First,
the development of all vehicles based on a given platform will be based in one technical center. For example, the
design effort for the next-generation Epsilon II midsize cars is being headed-up in Germany, and the new
“sub-Theta” compact SUV is a Daewoo project in Korea. The
second change is the newly created Automotive Product Board that will prevent any changes being made to a particular
platform that would create a unique assembly situation. The end goal is to create individual variations of platforms
that can be built anywhere in the world, instead of being restricted to its “home” manufacturing base. It’ll be
interesting to see if GM can make this work while retaining each region’s specific preferences and tastes as they
relate to styling, performance, economy, and comfort.
GM makes another push towards global platforms
GM is going to give another shot at making global platforms a reality, after some noticeable recent gaffs. First, the development of all vehicles based on a given platform will be based in one technical center. For example, the design effort for the next-generation Epsilon II midsize cars is being headed-up in Germany, and the new “sub-Theta” compact SUV is a Daewoo project in Korea. The second change is the newly created Automotive Product Board that will prevent any changes being made to a particular platform that would create a unique assembly situation. The end goal is to create individual variations of platforms that can be built anywhere in the world, instead of being restricted to its “home” manufacturing base. It’ll be interesting to see if GM can make this work while retaining each region’s specific preferences and tastes as they relate to styling, performance, economy, and comfort.