The American-based international automotive conglomerate General Motors (GM) underpins its many vehicle models with various platforms. These platforms are established sets of axles, suspensions, and steering mechanisms which fit various bodies and powertrains from various marques that GM owns.
From the early twentieth century, a Latin letter-based naming scheme was used to designate platforms, [1] which were aimed at vehicles under different brands that served similar niches of the market. For example, the B platform was the base for fullsize, rear-wheel drive (RWD) sedans and wagons from 1926 to 1996. This platform underpinned vehicles made by Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Marquette, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile. During the 1970s and 1980s, GM introduced many new front-wheel drive (FWD) platforms for the first time, such as the FWD C platform introduced in 1985. Despite being mechanically very new and different, it kept the same name as the RWD C platform for the sake of consistency, as most of the models remained the same, such as the Oldsmobile 98. For most of these platforms, the platform name is the fourth character of a vehicle's VIN, with a notable exception being trucks, for which it is the fifth character. [2]
At the outset of the twenty-first century, General Motors' approach to platforms changed, [3] and so did the nomenclature they use. Platforms themselves are now referred to by GM as "architectures", [4] and are now named according to the English-language names of letters from the Greek alphabet, such as the subcompact Gamma platform. [5] Today, many of the since-discontinued Latin letter platforms are informally called "bodies", such as "J-body", which refers to the J platform. In the 2010s, GM once again began to change platform nomenclature, this time to a four-character format: platform-generation-XX. An example of this is the D2XX, from the second generation of the Delta platform, hence the "D" and "2". [6]
All but three platforms listed here use a front-mounted engine, and those exceptions are noted in the 'layout' column.
As of April 2020, GM produces cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) of multiple different sizes on 19 different platforms: 7 of which are inherently RWD, with the rest being FWD. All but 5 of these have four-wheel drive variants as well.
Example Image | Name | Layout | Introduced | Vehicles Underpinned | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Chevrolet Camaro | Alpha I | RWD/AWD | 2012 |
| This generation of the Alpha platform remains in production solely for the Camaro, which will be succeeded in 2023 by a model upon VSS-R. [7] |
2020 Cadillac CT5 | Alpha II | RWD/AWD | 2019 |
| The successor to the Alpha I platform. |
2019 Chevrolet Bolt | BEV2 | FWD/RWD/AWD | 2016 |
| The successor to the P II platform. |
2019 Chevrolet Blazer | C1XX | FWD/AWD | 2017 |
| A crossover-focused derivative of the E2XX platform. [8] |
2020 Chevrolet Corvette | ZERV | RWD | 2020 |
| Indirect successor to the P I platform. |
2018 GMC Terrain | D2XX | FWD/AWD | 2012 |
| The successor to both the Delta II and Theta platforms, in accordance with GM's newest nomenclature. |
2017 Vauxhall Insignia | E2XX | FWD/AWD | 2016 |
| The successor to the Epsilon II platform. |
2018 Chevrolet Spark | G2XX | FWD/AWD | 2015 |
| The successor to the Gamma II platform, in accordance with GM's renaming of most of their platforms in "_ _ XX" format circa 2015. [9] |
2017 Chevrolet Sonic | Gamma II | FWD/AWD | 2010 |
| This generation of the Gamma platform is the first to have been developed by GM Korea, as the first generation was developed by Opel. [10] Also used for the GMC Granite and Cadillac Urban Luxury concept cars. |
2019 Chevrolet Tracker | GEM | FWD | 2016 |
| A new low-cost platform focused on developing market regions, designed by Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, GM's joint development center with SAIC. Also called Global Emerging Markets. |
2016 GMC Canyon | GMT 31XX | RWD/AWD | 2012 |
| Also called the GMT 700 platform. |
2012 GMC Savana | GMT 610 | RWD/AWD | 2003 |
| Mechanically very similar to its predecessor, the GMT 600 platform. [11] |
2019 Chevrolet SIlverado | GMT T1XX | RWD/AWD | 2018 |
| The successor to the GMT K2XX platform. [12] |
2016 Cadillac CT6 | Omega | RWD/AWD | 2016 |
| The successor to the Zeta platform. Also used for the 2015 Buick Avenir concept car. [13] |
2019 Buick LaCrosse | P2XX | FWD/AWD | 2017 |
| An extended wheelbase derivative of the E2XX platform. [14] |
2019 Chevrolet Monza | PATAC K | FWD | 2015 |
| A low-cost derivative of the D2XX platform designed by Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, GM's joint development center with SAIC. |
2018 Buick GL8 | U IV | FWD/AWD | 2010 |
| The successor to the U III platform. This platform remains in use solely for the GL8, which is sold only in China. It is the only one of GM's Latin-letter platforms still in use. Also called the SGM258 platform. [15] |
2020 Buick Encore GX | VSS-F | FWD/AWD | 2019 |
| The eventual consolidated successor to the Gamma II, G2XX, E2XX, D2XX, P2XX, PATAC K, U IV, GM4200, and GEM platforms. Slated to underpin all FWD GM cars plus subcompact crossovers by 2025. [16] |
GM platform nomenclature guide |
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The GM nomenclature works as follows:
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As of April 2020 [update] , GM has produced cars, trucks, and SUVs of multiple different sizes on 107 different platforms: 55 of these with Latin letters, 12 with English spellings of Greek letters, and 40 others. Also, 64 of these platforms are inherently RWD, while the rest are primarily FWD. Furthermore, 50 of these have four-wheel drive variants as well.
Example Image | Name | Layout | Introduced | Ended | Vehicles Underpinned | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1957 Chevrolet Task Force | A I | RWD | 1923 | 1959 |
| The first use of a shared platform by GM. |
1965 GM Beaumont | A II | RWD | 1962 | 1969 |
| The successor to the A I platform. |
1972 GMC Sprint | A III | RWD | 1968 | 1972 |
| The successor to the A II platform. |
1973 Buick Century | A IV | RWD | 1973 | 1977 |
| The successor to the A III platform. |
1980 Chevrolet Malibu | A V | RWD | 1978 | 1981 |
| The successor to the A IV platform. |
1996 Oldsmobile Ciera | A VI | FWD | 1982 | 1996 |
| The successor to the A V platform. |
1930 GM Marquette | B I | RWD | 1926 | 1990 |
| The single longest-produced GM platform to date. |
1993 Buick Roadmaster | B II | RWD | 1991 | 1996 |
| The successor to the B I platform. |
1959 Buick Electra | C I | RWD | 1936 | 1984 |
| All references to 1971–76 GM station wagons should be B1, not C1. Although the wheelbases on the wagons were longer than the sedans, the architecture matched that of B-body. Check the door inner bottom trim or the rear door cutline. The body letter became 2nd digit of the cowl tag about 1973 and the Buick Estate Wagon is mentioned as the 4BN35 and 4BN45 in the 1976 sales brochure. Electra sedan is 4CV39 in same brochure. |
1989 Oldsmobile Touring Sedan | C II | FWD | 1985 | 1996 |
| GM's first fullsize FWD platform. |
1958 Cadillac Series 75 | D I | RWD | 1936 | 1984 |
| 1975–76 Cadillac Series 75 became the Limousine and Nine-Passenger Sedan (w/o glass partition) in literature. |
1990 Cadillac Brougham | D II | RWD | 1985 | 1996 |
| The successor to the C I platform. |
1967 Oldsmobile Toronado | E | FWD | 1963 | 2002 |
| The first post-WWII FWD cars in the United States. An extended 6-wheel variant of this platform was used for the GMC motorhome. |
1969 Pontiac Firebird | F I | RWD | 1967 | 1969 |
| |
1974 Chevrolet Camaro | F II | RWD | 1970 | 1981 |
| The successor to the F I platform. |
1989 Pontiac Firebird | F III | RWD | 1982 | 1992 |
| The successor to the F II platform. |
2000 Chevrolet Camaro | F IV | RWD | 1993 | 2002 |
| The successor to the F III platform. |
1987 Buick Regal | G I | RWD | 1969 | 1988 |
| Indirect successor to the A II platform. |
2003 Pontiac Bonneville | G II | FWD | 1995 | 2005 |
| The consolidated successor to the G I, C II, H II, and K II platforms. |
2006 Buick Lucerne | G III | FWD | 2006 | 2011 |
| The successor to the G II platform. |
1973 Pontiac Astre | H I | RWD | 1971 | 1980 |
| Successor to the Y I platform. |
1998 Pontiac Bonneville | H II | FWD | 1986 | 1999 |
| Indirect successor to the G I platform. |
1985 Cadillac Cimarron | J | FWD | 1981 | 2005 |
| The successor to the H I platform. |
1977 Cadillac Seville | K I | RWD | 1975 | 1979 |
| Used solely for the Seville. |
1996 Cadillac Deville | K II | FWD | 1980 | 1999 |
| The successor to the K I platform. |
1989 Chevrolet Beretta | L | FWD | 1987 | 1996 |
| The successor to the X II platform. |
1988 Chevrolet Astro | M | RWD/AWD | 1985 | 2005 |
| Mechanically unrelated to the FWD M platform, which was sold to Suzuki before production. |
1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais | N I | FWD | 1984 | 1991 |
| |
1994 Buick Skylark | N II | FWD | 1992 | 1998 |
| The successor to the N I platform. |
2001 Chevrolet Malibu | N III | FWD | 1999 | 2005 |
| The consolidated successor to the A VI, L, and N II platforms. Also called the P-90 and GMX130 platforms. |
1987 Pontiac Fiero | P I | mid-engine, RWD | 1983 | 1988 |
| Used solely for the Fiero. The only mid-engined platform from GM until that of the 2020 Corvette. [17] |
1996 General Motors EV1 | P II | FWD | 1996 | 2003 |
| Used solely for the EV1. Also called the BEV1 platform retroactively since the introduction of the BEV2 platform in 2016. |
1993 Asüna Sunfire | R | FWD/AWD | 1985 | 1993 |
| An indirect successor to the T I platform. |
1990 Holden Nova | S I | FWD | 1987 | 2006 |
| Produced by NUMMI and UAAI, joint ventures between GM and Toyota. |
1996 Geo Prizm | S II | FWD/AWD | 1991 | 2002 |
| Produced by NUMMI and UAAI, joint ventures between GM and Toyota. The successor to the S I platform. |
1999 Chevrolet Prizm | S III | FWD/AWD | 1995 | 2002 |
| Produced by NUMMI, a joint venture between GM and Toyota. The successor to the S II platform. |
2006 Pontiac Vibe | S IV | FWD/AWD | 2000 | 2017 |
| Produced by NUMMI, a joint venture between GM and Toyota. The successor to the S III platform. |
2009 Pontiac Vibe | S V** | FWD/AWD | 20076 | present |
| Produced by NUMMI, a joint venture between GM and Toyota. The successor to the S IV platform. |
1978 Holden Gemini | T I | RWD | 1973 | 1995 |
| The last RWD compact platform to be produced by GM. |
1993 Asüna SE | T II | FWD | 1979 | 2012 |
| The successor to the T I, this platform was the first in a continuing series of small FWD GM platforms. |
1990 Chevrolet Lumina APV | U I | FWD | 1989 | 1996 |
| Also called the GMT 199 platform. |
1997 Vauxhall Sintra | U II | FWD/AWD | 1996 | 2005 |
| Also called the GMT 200 platform,. |
2007 Saturn Relay | U III | FWD/AWD | 2001 | 2010 |
| Also called the GMT 201 platform and the GMT 250 platform. |
1968 Opel Rekord | V I | RWD | 1966 | 2007 |
| Indirect successor to the B I platform. Also used for the Buick XP2000 concept car. |
1991 Cadillac Allanté | V II | FWD | 1987 | 1993 |
| Short-wheelbase variant of the E platform. |
1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme | W I | FWD | 1988 | 2001 |
| |
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo | W II | FWD | 1997 | 2005 |
| The successor to the W I platform. |
2007 Pontiac Grand Prix | W III | FWD | 2004 | 2016 |
| The successor to the W II platform. |
1973 Buick Apollo | X I | RWD | 1961 | 1979 |
| |
1980 Pontiac Phoenix | X II | FWD | 1979 | 1985 |
| The successor to the X I platform. |
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire | Y I | RWD | 1960 | 1964 |
| |
2008 Cadillac XLR | Y II | RWD | 1984 | 2019 |
| Indirect successor to the Y I platform. |
1966 Chevrolet Corvair | Z I | rear-engine, RWD | 1960 | 1969 |
| The only rear-engined platform GM has produced, used solely for the Corvair. |
1999 Saturn SW | Z II | FWD | 1991 | 2002 | Not a direct successor to the Z I platform, sharing the name only. |
Example Image | Name | Layout | Introduced | Ended | Vehicles Underpinned | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 Saturn Ion | Delta I | FWD | 2003 | 2014 |
| The consolidated successor to the J, R, T II, and Z II platforms. Also called the GMT 001 platform for the HHR. |
2014 Vauxhall Ampera | Delta II | FWD/AWD | 2008 | 2019 |
| The successor to the Delta I platform. |
2008 Cadillac BLS | Epsilon I | FWD/AWD | 2002 | 2014 |
| The consolidated successor to the G III, N III, GM2900, W, and Zeta platforms. Also used for the Saab PhoeniX and Opel Signum2 concept cars |
2014 Roewe 950 | Epsilon II** | FWD/AWD | 2008 | 2019 |
| The successor to the Epsilon I platform. Also used for the Buick Riviera and Opel GTC concept cars. |
1991 Holden Calibra | GM2900 | FWD | 1988 | 2016 |
| An indirect successor to the J platform. |
2011 Chevrolet Montana | GM4200 | FWD | 1982 | 2021 |
| Successor to the Suzuki M platform. |
1992 Asüna Sunrunner | GMT 190 | RWD/AWD | 1989 | 2016 |
| Name retroactively applied in 2002 with the introduction of the GMT 191, GMT 192, and GMT 193 platforms. |
2004 GMC Envoy XUV | GMT 305 | RWD/AWD | 2004 | 2005 |
| Produced solely for the Envoy XUV. |
1991 GMC Sonoma | GMT 325 | RWD/AWD | 1981 | 2012 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 330 platform. Name retroactively applied in 1988 with the introduction of the GMT 400 platform. |
1998 Oldsmobile Bravada | GMT 330 | RWD/AWD | 1981 | 2005 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 325 platform. Name retroactively applied 1988 with the introduction of the GMT 400 platform. |
2006 Hummer H3 | GMT 345 | RWD/AWD | 2005 | 2010 |
| Produced solely for the H3. Also used for the Hummer HX concept car. Mechanically very similar to the GMT 745 platform. |
2010 Great Wall SoCool | GMT 355 | RWD/AWD | 2003 | 2012 |
| The successor to the GMT 325 platform. |
2005 Buick Rainier | GMT 360 | RWD/AWD | 2001 | 2009 |
| The successor to the GMT 330 platform. |
2006 Chevrolet SSR | GMT 368 | RWD | 2002 | 2006 |
| Short-wheelbase variant of the GMT 360 platform, produced solely for the SSR. |
2007 Isuzu Ascender EXT | GMT 370 | RWD/AWD | 2002 | 2007 |
| Long-wheelbase variant of the GMT 360 platform. |
1993 Chevrolet C/K | GMT 400 | RWD/AWD | 1988 | 2000 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 480 platform. |
1995 Chevrolet Suburban | GMT 410 | RWD/AWD | 1992 | 1999 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 425 platform. |
1992 Chevrolet K5 Blazer | GMT 415 | RWD/AWD | 1992 | 1994 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 420 and GMT 430 platforms. |
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe | GMT 420 | RWD/AWD | 1995 | 2000 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 430 and GMT 415 platforms. |
1998 GMC Suburban | GMT 425 | RWD/AWD | 1992 | 1999 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 410 platform. |
1996 GMC Yukon | GMT 430 | RWD/AWD | 1992 | 2000 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 420 and GMT 415 platforms. |
2002 Chevrolet Chassis Cab | GMT 435 | RWD/AWD | 1999 | 2000 |
| Short-wheelbase derivative of the GMT 455 platform. |
1992 Chevrolet Chassis Cab | GMT 455 | RWD/AWD | 1991 | 2002 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 435 platform. |
1993 GMC Sierra 2500 | GMT 480 | RWD/AWD | 1988 | 2000 |
| Mechanically very similar to the GMT 400 platform. |
1997 Chevrolet Kodiak | GMT 530 | RWD/AWD | 1990 | 2008 |
| The first solely medium-duty GM truck platform. |
2009 GMC TopKick | GMT 560 | RWD/AWD | 2003 | 2018 |
| The successor to the GMT 530 platform. The last solely medium-duty GM truck platform. |
1999 Chevrolet Express | GMT 600 | RWD | 1995 | 2002 |
| Mechanically very similar to its successor, the GMT 610 platform. |
2009 Hummer H3T | GMT 745 | RWD/AWD | 2009 | 2010 |
| Produced solely for the H3T, the pickup variant of the H3. Mechanically very similar to the GMT 345 platform. |
2002 GMC Sierra | GMT 800 | RWD/AWD | 1999 | 2006 |
| The consolidated successor to the GMT 400 and GMT 480 platforms. |
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche | GMT 805 | RWD/AWD | 2002 | 2006 |
| Indirect successor to the GMT 455 platform. |
2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT | GMT 806 | RWD/AWD | 2002 | 2006 |
| Indirect successor to the GMT 455 platform. |
2009 Hummer H2 | GMT 820 | RWD/AWD | 2000 | 2009 |
| The successor to the GMT 415, GMT 420, and GMT 430 platforms. |
2001 GMC Yukon XL | GMT 830 | RWD/AWD | 2000 | 2006 |
| The successor to the GMT 410 and GMT 425 platforms. |
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | GMT 880 | RWD/AWD | 1999 | 2006 |
| The consolidated successor to the GMT 435 and GMT 455 platforms. |
2010 GMC Sierra | GMT 900 | RWD/AWD | 2007 | 2013 |
| The successor to the GMT 800 platform. |
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | GMT 910 | RWD/AWD | 2007 | 2013 |
| The successor to the GMT 880 platform. |
2008 GMC Yukon | GMT 920 | RWD/AWD | 2007 | 2014 |
| The successor to the GMT 820 platform. |
2007 Chevrolet Suburban | GMT 930 | RWD/AWD | 2007 | 2014 |
| The successor to the GMT 830 platform. |
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche | GMT 940 | RWD/AWD | 2006 | 2013 |
| The consolidated successor to the GMT 805 and GMT 806 platforms. |
2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV | GMT K2XX | RWD/AWD | 2013 | 2020 |
| The consolidated successor to the GMT 900, GMT 910, GMT 920, GMT 930, and GMT 940 platforms. |
2009 Saturn Sky | Kappa | RWD | 2006 | 2009 |
| Indirect successor to the Y II platform. Also used for the Saturn Curve concept car. |
2008 Buick Enclave | Lambda | FWD/AWD | 2006 | 2017 |
| The successor to the U III platform's two crossovers, as well as the GMT 370 platform. Also called the GMT 510 platform and the GMT 960 platform. |
2007 Alfa Romeo Brera | Premium | FWD/AWD | 2002 | 2003 |
| Co-developed with Fiat-Chrysler (then just Fiat). GM never produced any models on this platform, instead moving its models to the Epsilon II platform. Also used for the Opel Insignia and Alfa Romeo Visconti concept cars. |
2012 Cadillac SLS | Sigma I | RWD/AWD | 2002 | 2013 |
| Also called the GMT 265 platform for the SRX. |
2010 Cadillac CTS | Sigma II | RWD/AWD | 2008 | 2015 |
| Produced solely for the CTS. |
2016 Chevrolet Equinox | Theta | FWD/AWD | 2002 | 2018 |
| The successor to the GMT 360 platform. Also used for the Chevrolet S3X and T2X concept cars. Also called the GMT 191 platform for the Equinox, GMT 192 platform for the Torrent, and GMT 193 platform for the XL7. |
2012 Saab 9-4X | Theta Premium | FWD/AWD | 2010 | 2016 |
| Luxury variant of the Theta platform. Also called Theta-Epsilon since it shares components with the Epsilon II platform, as well as the GMT 267 platform. |
2015 Opel Corsa | SCCS** | FWD/AWD | 2005 | 2019 |
| Co-developed with Fiat-Chrysler (then just Fiat). |
1987 Chevrolet Sprint | Suzuki M I | FWD | 1983 | 2004 |
| |
1988–1992 Suzuki Swift | Suzuki M II | FWD | 1988 | 2004 |
| The successor to the Suzuki M I platform. |
1998 Chevrolet Metro | Suzuki M III | FWD | 1995 | 2016 |
| The successor to the Suzuki M II platform. |
2010 Daewoo Veritas | Zeta I | RWD | 2006 | 2017 |
| Also called the Global RWD Architecture. The consolidated successor to the B II, F IV, and V I platforms. Also used for the Holden Coupe 60 concept car. |
2013 Holden Commodore | Zeta II | RWD | 2013 | 2017 |
| Also called the Global RWD Architecture. The successor to the Zeta I platform. |
In 2015 GM announced their intention to shift all of their vehicles (with the notable exception of the eighth-generation Corvette) to four platforms by 2025. The following are those platforms, including the already-launched VSS-F:
Name | Layout | Introduction | Vehicles to be Underpinned | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
VSS-F | FWD/AWD | 2019 |
| The eventual consolidated successor to the Gamma II, G2XX, E2XX, D2XX, P2XX, PATAC K, U IV, GM4200, and GEM platforms. Slated to underpin all FWD GM cars plus subcompact crossovers by 2025. [16] |
VSS-R | RWD/AWD | 2023 |
| The eventual consolidated successor to the Alpha and Omega platforms. Slated to underpin all RWD GM vehicles by 2025. |
VSS-T | RWD/AWD | 2025 |
| The eventual consolidated successor to the GMT platforms. Slated to underpin all GM body-on-frame SUVs and trucks by 2025. |
VSS-S | FWD/AWD | 2024 |
| The eventual consolidated successor to the D2XX and C1XX platforms. Slated to underpin all GM crossovers (excluding those on VSS-F) by 2025. |
It is currently unknown whether GEM or a similar low-cost platform will be continued in some form as a subset of VSS.
Electric vehicle platforms are the only other exception to the forthcoming VSS consolidation.
BT1XX, standing for first generation battery-electric truck, is an upcoming electric body-on-frame truck and SUV platform derived from the GMT T1XX platform with RWD and AWD capabilities. [18] It is currently only slated to underpin the 2021 GMC Hummer, though it has not been clarified as to whether it is the only model for which the platform is to be used. [19] Speculation, however, as of May 2021, is that the all-electric Chevrolet Silverado will use this platform is it's been said that the all-electric Silverado will be built alongside the new GMC Hummer EV.
BEV3, standing for Battery Electric Vehicle 3 and also known as Ultium, is to be the replacement for the current BEV2 platform. [20] Little is known about the nature of this platform, though it has been confirmed that it will underpin, among other models, a future Cadillac crossover. [21]
Hummer is a brand of trucks and SUVs that was first marketed in 1992 when AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee. Although discontinued in 2010, Hummer returned as a sub-brand of GMC in 2021. In 1998, General Motors (GM) purchased the brand name from AM General and marketed three vehicles: the original Hummer H1, based on the military Humvee, as well as the new H2 and H3 models that were based on smaller, civilian-market GM platforms.
GMC, formerly the General Motors Truck Company, or the GMC Truck & Coach Division, is a division of the American automobile manufacturer General Motors (GM) that primarily focuses on trucks and utility vehicles. GMC currently makes SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and light-duty trucks, catered to a premium-based market. In the past, GMC also produced fire trucks, ambulances, heavy-duty trucks, military vehicles, motorhomes, transit buses, and medium duty trucks.
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV engineered and manufactured by General Motors. It was Cadillac's first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to competition from the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Range Rover and Lexus LX as well as Ford's 1998 release of the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved. The Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas. The word "escalade" refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege towers.
Rebadging in the automotive industry 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.
Delta is General Motors' compact front-wheel drive automobile and crossover SUV platform, a successor to the GM T platform; it also replaced GM 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.
The Chevrolet Tahoe, and its badge engineered GMC Yukon counterpart, are full-size SUVs from General Motors, offered since 1994 and 1991, respectively. Since 1982, Chevrolet and GMC sold two different-sized SUVs under their 'Blazer' and 'Jimmy' nameplates, by introducing the smaller S-10 Blazer and GMC S-15 Jimmy for the 1983 model year, below the full-size Blazer and Jimmy models. This situation lasted into the early 1990s. GMC first rebadged the full-size Jimmy as the 'Yukon' in 1991. Chevrolet however waited until 1994, when they rebadged the redesigned mid-size S-10 Blazer as their 'new Blazer', while renaming the full-size Blazer as the 'Tahoe'. The name Tahoe refers to the rugged and scenic area surrounding Lake Tahoe in the western United States. The name Yukon refers to the Yukon territory of northern Canada.
The General Motors E platform or E-body was the automobile platform designation used for a number of personal luxury cars produced from 1963 to 2002. Notably, early E-bodies were produced in both front wheel drive and rear wheel drive configurations, and were the first front wheel drive automobiles produced in the United States since 1937. The initial front-wheel drive E-platform power plant was referred to as the Unitized Power Package (UPP).
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.
Turbo-Hydramatic or Turbo Hydra-Matic is the registered tradename for a family of automatic transmissions developed and produced by General Motors. These transmissions mate a three-element turbine torque converter to a Simpson planetary geartrain, providing three forward speeds plus reverse.
Arlington Assembly is a General Motors automobile factory in Arlington, Texas. The plant has operated for more than 60 years and today manufactures large SUVs from GM's Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac divisions.
The GMC Acadia is a crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors for 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.
Linden Assembly was a General Motors automobile factory in Linden, New Jersey. The plant operated from 1937 to 2005 and made cars, trucks and SUVs for various GM automotive divisions. Engine block and cylinder heads were cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations, internal engine components were created at Bay City Powertrain and the engines were then assembled at assembled at Tonawanda Engine and Romulus Engine.
The General Motors G platform automobile platform designation was used for front-wheel drive full-sized and luxury cars between 1995 and 2011.
The General Motors K platform was the automobile platform designation used for the rear wheel drive Cadillac Seville midsize luxury models from 1975 to 1979.
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.
GMT K2XX is an assembly code for a vehicle platform architecture developed by General Motors for its line of full-size trucks and large SUVs that started production with the 2014 model year. The "XX" is a place holder for the last two digits of the specific assembly code for each model. The platform, which replaced the GMT900 series that had been in production from 2007 to 2013, was introduced in April 2013 for the 2014 Model Year on the trucks, followed by the December 2013 production on the 2015 large SUVs that debuted in February 2014. The GMT K2XX products are being produced at four GM assembly plants: Arlington, Flint, and Fort Wayne in the United States, along with Silao Assembly in Mexico for the crew cab light duty pickups.
Vehicle Set Strategy, commonly shortened to VSS, is the name applied to a series of four automotive platforms in use by General Motors for their vehicles as part of an effort to consolidate their platform usage for the present and future. Currently, the Buick Encore GX and Chevrolet Trailblazer are the only production vehicles using these platforms, though GM eventually plans to have one of four VSS platforms underpin over 75% of their models, the only exceptions being dedicated EV platforms and the Corvette.
Battery Electric Vehicle 2, better known in acronym form as BEV2, is the name of an automotive platform made by the automotive conglomerate General Motors (GM) designed specifically for small electric vehicles (EVs). Multiple divisions of the LG Corporation have been instrumental in construction in addition to GM's contributions to the platform.