A car platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components, over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of cars , often from different, but somewhat related, marques . It is practiced in the automotive industry to reduce the costs associated with the development of products by basing those products on a smaller number of platforms. This further allows companies to create distinct models from a design perspective on similar underpinnings. A car platform is not to be confused with a platform chassis , although such a chassis can be part of an automobile's design platform, as noted below.
28-398: The Toyota New Global Architecture (abbreviated as TNGA ) is a modular automobile platform that underpins various Toyota and Lexus models, starting with the fourth-generation Prius in late 2015. TNGA platforms accommodate different vehicle sizes and also front- , rear- , and all-wheel drive configurations. The platforms were developed as part of a company-wide effort to simplify
56-469: A SUV . The Volkswagen A platform -mates such as the sports-oriented Audi TT and the economy-focused Volkswagen Golf also share much of their mechanical components but are visually entirely different. Both the Volkswagen Group and Toyota have had much success building many well-differentiated vehicles from many marques , from the same platforms. One of the least conspicuous recent examples
84-477: A greater variety of vehicles from one basic set of engineered components. Pictured below is the Nissan MS platform , where designs including 5-door hatchback, sedan, compact SUV and minivan were built on a common floor panel and many shared functional assemblies such as engine, transmission and chassis components. Many vendors refer to this as product or vehicle architecture . The concept of product architecture
112-710: A lower cost to consumers. Additionally, economies of scale are increased, as is return on investment. Originally, a "platform" was a literally shared chassis from a previously-engineered vehicle, as in the case for the Citroën 2CV platform chassis used by the Citroën Ami and Citroën Dyane , as well as the Volkswagen Beetle frame under the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia . These two manufacturers made different category of vehicles under using
140-453: A platform in cars, from a technical point of view, includes underbody and suspensions (with axles) — where the underbody is made of the front floor, rear floor, engine compartment, and frame (reinforcement of underbody). Key mechanical components that define an automobile platform include: Platform sharing is a product development method where different products and the brand attached share the same components. The purpose with platform sharing
168-491: A strategy affects the development process and also has an important impact on an automaker's organizational structure. A platform strategy also offers advantages for the globalization process of automobile firms. Because automakers spend the majority of time and money on the development of platforms, platform sharing affords manufacturers the ability to cut costs on research and development by spreading it over several product lines. Manufacturers are then able to offer products at
196-610: Is known as the N-J-L platform, arguably the most prolific of GM's efforts on one platform. Once more, GM's four lower-level divisions all offered various models on this platform throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s. The 1988 Fiat Tipo was one of the first European cars utilizing a modular platform , also used for the Fiat Tempra . Japanese carmakers have followed the platform sharing practice with Honda 's Acura line, Nissan 's Infiniti brand, and Toyota's Lexus marque, as
224-459: Is offered in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants and is paired with a longitudinal engine . The platform also supports a wheelbase length of 2,870–3,125 mm (113.0–123.0 in). The Crown was also produced with a narrow version at 1,800 mm (70.9 in) wide. The TNGA-L replaces the older N platform . Vehicles using platform (calendar years): e-TNGA is a modular platform dedicated to battery electric vehicles , which
252-458: Is paired with a transverse engine. The platform also supports a wheelbase length of 2,690–3,060 mm (105.9–120.5 in). The TNGA-K replaces the older K platform . Vehicles using platform (calendar years): The TNGA-L platform underpins unibody vehicles in the E-segment or executive car , F-segment or full-size luxury car , and S-segment or grand tourer categories. The platform
280-592: Is the Chevy Trailblazer and Chevy SSR ; both use the GMT-360 platform. In automotive design, the top hat is one or more vehicle upper body structures that can share a common platform. The upper body could vary from a crossover to a sedan or coupe thereby creating economies of scale and product differentiation . Toyota N platform The Toyota N platform is a car platform for executive cars (E-class models) from Toyota, introduced in 2003. It
308-441: Is the scheme by which the function of a product is allocated to physical components. The use of a platform strategy provides several benefits: The car platform strategy has become important in new product development and in the innovation process. The finished products have to be responsive to market needs and to demonstrate distinctiveness while – at the same time – they must be developed and produced at low cost. Adopting such
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#1732788069259336-407: Is to reduce the cost and have a more efficient product development process. The companies gain on reduced procurement costs by taking advantage of the commonality of the components. However, this also limits their ability to differentiate the products and imposes a risk of losing the tangible uniqueness of the product. The companies have to make a trade-off between reducing their development costs and
364-536: The C-segment or compact car , subcompact/ compact crossover SUV , and compact / mid-size MPV categories. The platform is offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants and is paired with a transverse engine. The platform also supports a wheelbase length of 2,640–2,850 mm (103.9–112.2 in). The TNGA-C replaces the older MC/New MC platforms . Vehicles using platform (calendar years): The TNGA-F platform underpins body-on-frame vehicles in
392-571: The Volvo S40 . Differences between shared models typically involve styling, including headlights , tail lights, and front and rear fascias . Examples also involve differing engines and drivetrains . In some cases such as the Lexus ES that is a Toyota Camry, "same car, same blueprints, same skeleton off the same assembly line in the same factory", but the Lexus is marketed with premium coffee in
420-491: The dealership's showroom and reduced greens fees at Pebble Beach Golf Links as part of the higher-priced badge. Platform sharing may be less noticeable now; however, it is still very apparent. Vehicle architectures primarily consist of "under the skin" components, and shared platforms can show up in unusual places, like the Nissan FM platform -mates Nissan 350Z marketed as a sports car and Infiniti FX positioned as
448-490: The lithium-ion battery . The first e-TNGA-based model is the bZ4X crossover, which was presented for the first time in April 2021. Other vehicles planned by 2025 include a medium SUV, a medium minivan, a medium sedan, and a large SUV. For Subaru -badged models, the platform is also known as the e-Subaru Global Platform ( e-SGP ). Vehicles using platform (calendar years): Automobile platform A basic definition of
476-530: The degree of differentiation of the products. Platform sharing is a practice commonly employed by various brands within a corporate group. The fundamental components of a shared platform typically include the chassis and the drive unit. The extent to which different automobile or motorcycle models utilize the same components can vary, leading to different degrees of structural equality and platform similarity: The remaining vehicle parts are categorised into "head" parts and system parts: Platform sharing facilitates
504-458: The efficient production and development of vehicles by leveraging common components across different models, thereby reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency. One of the first car companies to use this product development approach was General Motors in 1908. General Motors used a single chassis for certain class of model across most of its brands like Chevrolet , Buick , Pontiac and Oldsmobile . Later, Chrysler Corporation would do
532-648: The entry-level luxury models are based on their mainstream lineup. For example, the Lexus ES is essentially an upgraded and rebadged Toyota Camry . After Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler , Chrysler engineers used several M-B platforms for new models including the Crossfire which was based on the M-B SLK roadster . Other models that share platforms are the European Ford Focus , Mazda 3 , and
560-440: The internal "Toyota Compact Car Company", the platform is offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants and is paired with a transverse engine . The platform also supports a wheelbase length of 2,430–2,750 mm (95.7–108.3 in), while only supports three-cylinder engines. The TNGA-B replaces the older B platform . Vehicles using platform (calendar years): The TNGA-C platform underpins unibody vehicles in
588-696: The letter "K" to indicate their shared platform. In later stages, the "K" platform was extended in wheelbase, as well as use for several of the Corporation's different models. In the same decade, Fiat and Saab jointly developed cars using the Type Four platform to compete with the German-dominated European executive car segment. General Motors used similar strategies with its "J" platform that debuted in mid-1981 in four of GM's divisions. Subsequently, GM introduced its "A" bodies for
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#1732788069259616-521: The mid- and full-size SUV and mid- and full-size pickup truck categories. It supports a wheelbase length of 2,850–4,180 mm (112.2–164.6 in). Vehicles using platform (calendar years): The TNGA-K platform underpins unibody vehicles in the D-segment or mid-size car , E-segment or full-size car , compact/ mid-size crossover SUV , and large MPV categories. The platform is offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants and
644-726: The same chassis design at different years though the primary vehicle was still in production. In the United States, platform sharing has been a common practice since the 1960s. This was when GM used the same platform in the development of the Pontiac LeMans , the Buick Skylark , the Chevrolet Chevelle , and the Oldsmobile Cutlass . In the 1980s, Chrysler 's K-cars all wore a badge with
672-596: The same for Plymouth , DeSoto and Dodge cars. Ford followed the same principle for Ford and Mercury in US markets. The chassis unit was common with many shared mechanical components while the exterior styling and interior trims were designed according to its individual brand and category. In recent years for monocoque chassis, platform-sharing combined with advanced and flexible-manufacturing technology enabled automakers to sharply reduce product development and changeover times, while modular design and assembly allow building
700-459: The same four divisions using the same tread width/wheelbase of the "X" body platform, but with larger bodywork to make the cars seem larger, and with larger trunk compartments. They were popular through the 1980s, primarily. Even Cadillac started offering a "J" body model called the Cimarron , a much gussied-up version of the other four brands' platform siblings. A similar strategy applied to what
728-850: The vehicles being produced by Toyota. Before the introduction of the TNGA, Toyota was building roughly 100 different platform variants. As of 2020, the five TNGA platforms underpin more than 50% of Toyota vehicles sold worldwide and is expected to underpin about 80% by 2023. Each platform is based on a standardized seat height that allows for sharing of key interior components such as steering systems, shifters, pedals, seat frames and airbags. These components are often less visible, allowing for cars that share platforms to have unique interiors. Compared to Toyota's older platforms, TNGA costs 20 percent less to produce while offering increased chassis stiffness, lower centers of gravity for better handling and lower hood cowls for better forward visibility. The TNGA platform
756-518: Was announced in October 2019. Internally known as the 40PL platform, the platform will enable offering various type and size of vehicles, different battery capacity and with front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or dual motor all-wheel drive. This vehicle architecture is partitioned into five modules. These are the front module, center module, rear module, battery and motor. Up to three versions of each module are in development, including three capacities for
784-574: Was developed alongside the Dynamic Force engine , which similarly is replacing more than 800 engine variants with a much simpler lineup of 17 versions of nine engines. Toyota is also simplifying its lineup of transmissions, hybrid systems, and all-wheel drive systems. The TNGA-B platform underpins unibody vehicles in the A-segment or city car , B-segment or subcompact car , subcompact crossover SUV , and mini MPV categories. Developed by
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