Engineering:GM VSS platforms
| GM VSS platforms | |
|---|---|
 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, one of the first vehicles to use a VSS platform | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Parent company | General Motors |
| Also called |
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| Production | 2020 - present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | |
| Layout |
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| Vehicles | |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | |
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.[1] 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.[2]
VSS-F
VSS-F is to be GM's primary front-wheel drive 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]
Of the four, this platform has the most developed implementation plan, with three variants already established:[4]
- 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)
- VSS-F D/E: for midsize and fullsize cars (i.e. Chevrolet Malibu and Impala)
GEM
Currently, many of GM's economy cars sold in foreign markets ride on the Global Emerging Markets platform, known as GEM.[5] The company has indicated their intentions to retain this platform as a low-cost derivative of VSS-F, though no further information is yet known as to what it will be referred to as or how similarly to the current platform it will be used.[6]
VSS-R
VSS-R is to be GM's sole rear-wheel drive 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.[7][8][9]
VSS-S
VSS-S is to be GM's secondary front-wheel drive platform, also capable of all-wheel drive. Due to this, GM intends to utilize this platform for crossovers ranging in size between compact and fullsize. Vehicles slated to be underpinned by this platform include the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Equinox.[10]
VSS-T
VSS-T is to be GM's sole body-on-frame suv and pickup truck 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 and the fourth generation Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon.[11]
See also
- General Motors, the automotive conglomerate that manufactures these platforms
- Mary Barra, CEO of GM who initiated the effort towards platform consolidation
- List of GM platforms, a list of all platforms that GM has produced
- Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX, the first (and currently only) vehicles to use this platform
- Toyota New Global Architecture
References
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- ↑ "GM's 2025 platform plan: Simplify and seek to save billions" (in en). Reuters. 2014-10-02. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-generalmotors-future-platforms-analys-idUSKCN0HR2J220141002.
- ↑ "GM's new unified platform strategy makes its debut with Buick Encore GX, Chevy Trailblazer" (in en). https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1123341_gm-s-new-unified-platform-strategy-makes-its-debut-with-buick-encore-gx-chevy-trailblazer.
- ↑ "GM Looks To Consolidate 26 Platforms Into Four Vehicle Sets By 2025". https://gmauthority.com/blog/2017/10/gm-looks-to-consolidate-26-platforms-into-four-vehicle-sets-by-2025/.
- ↑ Reuss, Mark. "2014 General Motors Business Conference". pp. 4–8. https://investor.gm.com/static-files/8a02e86b-f686-4f1d-ad11-5b8f6670e889.
- ↑ "GM bets it has a GEM of a plan to hit paydirt in emerging markets" (in en). 2019-04-16. https://www.autonews.com/shanghai-auto-show/gm-bets-it-has-gem-plan-hit-paydirt-emerging-markets.
- ↑ "VSS Next Generation Vehicle Platforms". https://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f19/vss-next-generation-vehicle-platforms-294447/.
- ↑ "Possible NEW engines and drivetrains for 7th gen Camaro!!! - Page 5 - CAMARO6". https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=567390&page=5.
- ↑ "Alpha and Omega will Combine: Next CT6 to be on VSS-R. Larger Escala-Type to Follow" (in en-US). https://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/topic/91470-alpha-and-omega-will-combine-next-ct6-to-be-on-vss-r-larger-escala-type-to-follow/.
- ↑ "What's Really Going On With The Future Chevrolet Camaro". https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/06/whats-really-going-on-with-the-future-chevrolet-camaro/.
- ↑ "General Motors future models - Chevrolet SUVs & pick-ups". 2019-09-02. https://www.just-auto.com/analysis/general-motors-future-models-chevrolet-suvs-pick-ups_id190464.aspx.
- ↑ "Setting The Record Straight: T1 GM Platform Is Not VSS-T". https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/08/setting-the-record-straight-t1-gm-platform-is-not-vss-t/.
