General Motors VSS platforms

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GM VSS platforms
2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer RS AWD, front 7.11.20.jpg
Chevrolet Trailblazer, one of the first vehicles to use a VSS platform
Overview
Manufacturer General Motors
Also called
  • VSS-F
  • VSS-R
  • VSS-S
  • VSS-T
Production2019–present
Body and chassis
Layout
Chronology
Predecessor

Vehicle Set Strategy (VSS) is a series of four automotive platforms developed by American manufacturer General Motors for their vehicles as part of an effort to consolidate their platform usage for the present and future. [1] GM eventually plans to have the VSS platforms underpin over 75% of their models, the exceptions being the BEV3 platform used for electric vehicles and specialty vehicles like the Corvette. [2]

Contents

VSS-F

VSS-F is GM's primary front-wheel drive (F) platform as of 2024, considered a successor to the Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon platforms. It is planned to underpin many subcompact to fullsize cars as well as GM's smaller crossovers in the future, a pattern established by the first models to use it, the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX. [3] The platform can also be used for all-wheel drive vehicles.

Of the four, this platform has the most developed implementation plan, with three variants already established: [4] which are VSS-F A for minicompact cars (i.e. Chevrolet Spark), VSS-F B/C for subcompact and compact cars and crossovers (e.g. Buick Encore and Chevrolet Sonic), and VSS-F D/E for midsize and fullsize cars (i.e. Chevrolet Malibu and Impala).

Applications

VSS-R

VSS-R GM's planned rear-wheel drive (R) platform, considered a successor to both the Alpha and Omega platforms. Vehicles slated to be underpinned by this platform include the second generations of the Cadillac CT4, CT5, and CT6, as well as future models of the Chevrolet Camaro. [5] [6] [7]

Applications

VSS-S

VSS-S GM's planned SUV (S) platform, capable of both front and all-wheel drive. GM intends to utilize this platform for vehicles ranging in size between compact and fullsize.Vehicles slated to be underpinned by this platform include the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Equinox. [8]

Applications

VSS-T

VSS-T is GM's planned body-on-frame SUV and pickup truck (T) platform, considered a successor to the long-standing GMT platform and capable of all-wheel drive. It is to be capable of supporting midsize and fullsize truck dimensions, and will underpin both the fifth generation Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra and the third generation Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon. [9]

Applications

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick</span> Premium division of General Motors

Buick is a division of the American automobile manufacturer General Motors (GM). Started by automotive pioneer David Dunbar Buick in 1899, it was among the first American automobile brands and was the company that established General Motors in 1908. Before the establishment of General Motors, GM founder William C. Durant had served as Buick's general manager and major investor. With the demise of Oldsmobile in 2004, Buick became the oldest surviving American carmaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GM Korea</span> South Korean subsidiary of General Motors

GM Korea Company is the South Korean subsidiary of multinational corporation General Motors and the third largest automobile manufacturer in South Korea. GM Korea's roots go back to the former Daewoo Motors vehicle brand, which was split from its parent company, Daewoo, in 2002. In addition to importing vehicles for sale into South Korea, the company also operates three manufacturing facilities producing vehicles for the domestic market and for export. The company also operates GM Technical Center Korea, a design, engineering, research & development facility for various GM products, primarily small-size cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors Delta platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

Delta was a General Motors compact front-wheel drive automobile and crossover SUV platform, originally developed by Opel Group. Delta was a successor to the Opel T platform; it also replaced J platform and the Z platform used by the Saturn S-Series. The platform debuted in the 2003 Saturn Ion. Vehicles of this platform generally carry the letter "A" in the fourth character of their VINs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors Epsilon platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was a multi-division project of GM North America, Opel and Saab, and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon vehicles with over a dozen variations. As of 2005, it was GM's highest volume worldwide platform. Even after the dissolution of the GM/Fiat partnership, both companies retain the rights to continue developing Epsilon-derived models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SAIC-GM</span> Joint venture between General Motors and SAIC Motor

SAIC General Motors Corporation Limited is a joint venture between General Motors Company and SAIC Motor. The company was founded in 1997 as Shanghai General Motors Company Ltd or Shanghai GM. Headquartered in Shanghai, the company manufactures and sells Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac brand automobiles in Mainland China, and exports its cars to several overseas markets.

GMT is a nomenclature used by General Motors to designate multiple vehicle platforms. In use since the early 1980s, the GMT nomenclature is used for light trucks, full-size SUVs, and vans, along with several medium-duty trucks. With only a few exceptions, nearly all GMT vehicles use body-on-frame construction, along with rear-wheel drive powertrain configurations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMC Acadia</span> Full-size crossover SUV

The GMC Acadia is a crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors for its GMC division. The first-generation GMC Acadia shared the GM Lambda platform with the Saturn Outlook, the Chevrolet Traverse, and the Buick Enclave. The Acadia went on sale in 2006 as a 2007 model in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Acadia replaces three of the 7- or 8-seater vehicles on the Buick-Pontiac–GMC dealership network, the midsize GMC Safari van, the GMC Envoy, and the Pontiac Montana SV6 minivan for the domestic market. As of 2009, the Lambda vehicles had replaced the Buick Rainier, Buick Rendezvous, Buick Terraza, and the GMC Envoy XL and then subsequently the GMC Envoy, Chevrolet TrailBlazer and the Isuzu Ascender. A Denali version of the Acadia debuted for 2011. In 2017, the second generation Acadia was repositioned as a mid-size crossover utility vehicle in order to compete in the growing midsize SUV market against the likes of the Ford Explorer, Edge, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Enclave</span> Full-size crossover SUV

The Buick Enclave is a three-row full-size crossover SUV produced by General Motors since 2007. It was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, officially as a concept car, making it the first Lambda vehicle to be displayed. The Enclave is partially based on the Buick Centieme concept shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.

Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly, also referred to as Factory Zero and GM Poletown, is a General Motors (GM) automobile assembly plant straddling the border between Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan. It is located about three miles (five km) from GM's corporate headquarters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toledo Transmission</span> General Motors factory in Ohio, US

Toledo Propulsion Systems is a 2.8 million square feet; 151 acres General Motors transmission factory in Toledo, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oshawa Car Assembly</span> Vehicle manufacturing facility in Oshawa, Ontario

Oshawa Assembly is a manufacturing facility in the city of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, that built various automobiles for General Motors Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMT360</span> Motor vehicle platform

GMT 360 is a vehicle platform that was manufactured by General Motors from the 2002 and 2009 model years. Designed primarily for SUVs, the GMT360 architecture served as the third generation of mid-size SUVs produced by GM. Directly succeeding its GMT330 predecessor in the United States, GMT360 vehicles based on the platform were sold with their predecessor in Canada and export markets through 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors Alpha platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

The GM Alpha platform currently underpins General Motors' compact to mid-size, front-engine, rear-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles. Platform basics include MacPherson struts on the front, 5 link independent rear, use of high strength steel and aluminum, and an overall focus on reducing weight. The GM Alpha platform made its debut in the 2013 Cadillac ATS, which entered production in July 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Encore</span> Mini SUV

The Buick Encore is a subcompact crossover SUV built by General Motors from 2012 to 2022. It is subcompact crossover SUV marketed by Buick and its fourth SUV overall after the Rendezvous, Rainier, and Enclave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Avenir</span> Concept car developed by Buick

The Buick Avenir is a concept car manufactured by Buick. The name of the vehicle Avenir means 'future' in French. In October 2017, Buick made Avenir a premium top-of-the-line sub-brand, similar to GMC’s Denali and Chevrolet’s Signature series. The Buick LaCrosse and Enclave were the first vehicles to receive this upgrade for the 2018 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadillac XT4</span> Motor vehicle

The Cadillac XT4 is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors since 2018 under the luxury Cadillac marque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Encore GX</span> Subcompact crossover SUV

The Buick Encore GX is a subcompact crossover SUV built by General Motors starting in 2019. Like the smaller Encore and the related Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Encore GX is manufactured by GM Korea. In China, it is manufactured by the SAIC-GM joint venture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultium</span> EV battery and motor architecture

Ultium is an electric vehicle battery and motor architecture developed by General Motors. It is being deployed for battery electric vehicles from General Motors portfolio brands along with vehicles from Honda and Acura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors BEV3 platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

The GM BEV3 platform is a dedicated electric vehicle architecture or platform developed by General Motors. It is the third-generation electric vehicle platform by GM, succeeding the BEV2 platform. It is categorized as a skateboard platform.

References

  1. "GM's 2025 platform plan: Simplify and seek to save billions". Reuters. October 2, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  2. "GM's new unified platform strategy makes its debut with Buick Encore GX, Chevy Trailblazer". Motor Authority. May 31, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  3. "GM Looks To Consolidate 26 Platforms Into Four Vehicle Sets By 2025". GM Authority. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  4. Reuss, Mark. "2014 General Motors Business Conference". pp. 4–8. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  5. "Possible NEW engines and drivetrains for 7th gen Camaro!!! - Page 5 – CAMARO6". www.camaro6.com. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  6. "Alpha and Omega will Combine: Next CT6 to be on VSS-R. Larger Escala-Type to Follow". Cheers and Gears. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  7. "What's Really Going On With The Future Chevrolet Camaro". GM Authority. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  8. "General Motors future models – Chevrolet SUVs & pick-ups". www.just-auto.com. September 2, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  9. "Setting The Record Straight: T1 GM Platform Is Not VSS-T". GM Authority. Retrieved April 16, 2020.