GM VSS platforms | |
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Overview | |
Parent company | General Motors |
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Production | 2019–present |
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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]
VSS-F is to be GM's primary front-wheel drive (F) platform, 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).
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]
VSS-S GM's planned secondary (S) front-wheel drive platform, also capable of 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]
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 fourth generation Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon. [9]
GM Korea Company is the South Korean subsidiary of multinational corporation General Motors. GMK is also 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 Group, in 2002. It has three manufacturing facilities in South Korea. In addition, GM Korea provides region and brand-specific vehicle assembly kits for assembly by GM affiliates in the United States, Brazil, China, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and Mexico. Exports to Australia and India ended when GM announced in February 2020 of withdrawing from all right-hand-drive markets worldwide.
In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. To allow for product differentiation without designing or engineering a new model or brand, a manufacturer creates a distinct automobile by applying a new "badge" or trademark to an existing product line.
Zeta was the original name for General Motors' full-size rear-wheel drive automobile platform developed by GM's Australian subsidiary company Holden and was at one stage referred to as the "GM Global RWD Architecture". The GM Zeta platform replaced the V-body, and debuted with 2006 Holden Commodore (VE) sedan and Holden (VE) Ute. This platform was considered as the replacement for the North American W, H, and K platforms until plans were cancelled due to fuel-economy considerations and GM's financial situation. Although the future of the Zeta program was in doubt at that time, in May 2009, Holden began the development of an improved second version of the platform that went on to form the basis of the 2013 Commodore (VF) and Chevrolet SS.
Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was 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.
SAIC General Motors Corporation Limited is a joint venture between General Motors Company and SAIC Motor that manufactures and sells Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac brand automobiles in Mainland China.
Gamma is General Motors' global subcompact front-wheel drive automobile platform, first used in the 2000 Opel Corsa C.
The Saab 9-7X is a mid-size luxury SUV that was built by General Motors for the American market and sold under the Saab marque. The 9-7X was first revealed at the 2004 New York International Auto Show, and was available starting in the model year of 2005, as a replacement for the Oldsmobile Bravada.
The GMC Acadia is a crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors for its GMC marque. 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 Pontiac–Buick–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 have 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 within the growing midsize SUV market against the likes of the Ford Explorer, Edge, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Lansing Grand River Assembly (LGR) is a General Motors owned and operated automobile assembly facility located in Lansing, Michigan, United States. Lansing Grand River Assembly produces vehicles built upon the GM Alpha platform including the Cadillac CT4, Cadillac CT5, and Chevrolet Camaro.
The Buick Enclave is a three-row 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.
The General Motors H platform is an automobile platform used by subcompact cars from the 1971 to 1980 model years. The first subcompact car design developed by GM, the rear-wheel drive H platform initially underpinned the Chevrolet Vega and its Pontiac Astre counterpart. For 1975, the H platform was expanded from entry-level vehicles to sport compacts, adding the Chevrolet Monza, Buick Skyhawk, Oldsmobile Starfire, and Pontiac Sunbird.
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.
In the context of the automobile industry, downsizing is a practice used to transition vehicles from one size segment to another. Commenced during the Malaise era, downsizing is done in response to consumer and government demands influencing vehicle design. As vehicle product lines completed their model cycles, automobile manufacturers developed the next generation of a vehicle with a smaller exterior footprint to allow for weight reduction and increased fuel economy, using a shortened wheelbase and body length.
The Buick Encore is a subcompact crossover SUV built by General Motors since 2012. It is subcompact crossover SUV marketed by Buick and its fourth SUV overall after the Rendezvous, Rainier, and Enclave.
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.
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.
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand since 2020. It is the smallest crossover from Chevrolet, slotting below the Trax.
The GM BEV2 platform is an automotive platform made by General Motors designed specifically for small electric vehicles. Multiple divisions of the LG Corporation have been instrumental in construction in addition to GM's contributions to the platform.
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.