GM’s Next-Gen D2 Platform To Support At Least 12 Nameplates
26
Last week’s announcement of GM’s $220 million investment in its Lordstown, Ohio complex for the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze accompanied the promise of a new flexible platform. The new architecture, which GM Authority has learned carries the D2XX designation internally at General Motors, will be the successor to two existing GM platforms — Delta and Theta — thereby delivering on the automaker’s goal of cutting the amount of platforms (and engines) in half in an effort to reduce manufacturing cost and complexity. Since the announcement last week, GM Authority has learned more about the D2 platform from sources involved with the automaker’s plans.
Most Popular Car Platform
The D2 architecture is set to underpin more than 2.5 million vehicles a year by 2018, a feat that makes it the most popular platform in General Motors’ stable of car (non-truck) architectures by a wide margin. As such, GM engineers are hard at work in making the platform very flexible for the purpose of allowing it to underpin a wide variety of vehicles.
12 Nameplates And Counting
A preliminary count tells us that at least 12 namplates will be underpinned by the D2 platform, including the next-generation versions of the following vehicles:
Chevrolet & Holden
- Chevy/Holden Cruze and body style variants
- Chevy/Holden Volt
- Chevy Equinox/Holden Captiva – as reported previously
- Chevy Orlando
Opel/Vauxhall
- Opel Astra and body style variants
- Opel Antara
Opel Zafirawill move to a joint architecture developed by Opel PSA Citroen-Peugeot- Opel Ampera
Buick
- Buick Verano/Excelle and body style variants
- Compact Buick crossover (Envision?)
GMC
Cadillac
Simplified Global Manufacturing
The new compact platform will also simplify General Motors’ operations across the board, including engineering, design, sourcing, support, and tooling — giving GM the ability to enjoy increased economies of scale on a global level. And for good measure, as D2-based vehicles will be built all over the world. Currently, the Cruze and its various derivates are built in plants in China, Russia, India, Brazil, South Korea, Thailand, and Australia — and that’s not counting the Cruze’s Opel-badged platform mates.
In addition, a common global architecture that supports cars and crossovers will finally allow The General to decrease time to market. For instance, the current-generation Cruze launched in Europe, South Korea, and Australia in 2008, but didn’t become available in the United States until the fall of 2010 as a 2011 model. This late appearance made the excellent Cruze the last to arrive in the world’s largest developed automotive market. Sources who work with GM parts suppliers already expect the new D2 platform to decrease their lead time in delivering parts and design prototypes, along with actual vehicle-bound bulk parts shipments.
Timing
The Lordstown plant is expected to commence production of the all-new 2015 Cruze in the third quarter of 2014. At about the same time, GM’s Korean operations will ramp up production for Asian markets. Platform mates are expected to follow the launch of the Cruze, and the entire D2-based model rollout is expected to be completed by 2016, according to sources.
We Also Hear…
According to an unconfirmed GM Authority source, General Motors is splitting up development of the individual vehicle projects (not the platform itself) by geographic development center. For instance, the D2XX project code signifies a European homeroom undertaking while that of D2UX refers to a vehicle in progress by GM’s U.S. operations. Currently-available project names include D2UG, D2UC, and D2UO, among others.
Google+
How exciting, we can all look forward to seeing the results across all of GMs brands, as one poster mentioned lets hope for an all wheel drive option for a Cruze platform.
wait but then what about midsize buick crossover??
Not on a Delta, Vic.
because you said envision-based crossover is a midsize so….
I don’t know. All of this is so far out into the future that one has to wonder how effective it will be compared to what the competition is doing, which is offering multiple body styles THIS YEAR.
GM seems to be waiting for this platform before expanding its product line. If one looks at the number of years between bankruptcy and products on this new platform, it’s longer than a typical period of ownership. That means lost customers – a lot of them – people like me who cannot wait another 3 years and will establish brand loyalty elsewhere.
I know this site doesn’t like Hyundai, but they will become the new Chevrolet, with U.S. plants in the Southeast. They’ll be producing the Elantra GT in the U.S. before Lordstown finishes discussing the matter. I see a much smaller GM down the road.
@Veranohatchforus…….. I agree that GM needs to update models more often. The trucks are in their 6th year and we do have people who had a 2007 followed by a 2010, and now do not want a 2013 of the exact same style.
That being said, it’s been less than 3 years since their financial restructure and GM had a lot of issues to deal with. It takes at least 3 -4 years to develop a totally new platform, especially one that will be global. Most of GM’s vehicles run a 5 year cycle. It needs to be 4 years in my opinion. Plus keep in mind that many manufacturers “new” models are in actuallity refreshed old models with new grilles, dash’s, etc. Once GM has this new platform out, I believe you will see refreshed models regularly. We are already seeing images of a refreshed Buick Regal which is a 2 year old model, and a refreshed Lacrosse.
The trucks don’t seem to be that old the exterior still looks good. Camaro seems like an antique it’s only been around four years but the show cars were there 2006. I agree all the vehicles should get a refresh three maybe four years at the most as long as they don’t make them ugly.
I’m of a totally different opinion: everything about the trucks is archaic — the looks, the technology, and the architecture. By comparison, the Camaro needs no changes — as pretty much everything I could ever ask for in a pony car was offereed/changed for 2013 as far as technology and interior improvements go; as far as Camaro styling is concerned, it’s perfect and far from an “antique”.
but you chose the stang lol…. btw interior wise, which one would you choose alex?
Yeah, when you can get a $30,000 Mustang for close to $20,000 or a $33,000 Camaro for $31,000, 9 times out of 10, you’ll choose the former. But now that the Camaro has had the updates for 2013, it would be a much more difficult choice than it was.
However, what’s more definite for me is that I prefer the driving layout of the ‘Stang compared to the Camaro — which feels (and is) unnecessarily wider.
wider than Camaro??
Should have been more clear; the Camaro is wider — and I prefer the more compact (narrow) Mustang.
okay let me ask you this, would you prefer the design of the 2013 Malibu or the 2013 Fusion? just curious?
The Aztecs should have gotten the refresh after three weeks.
This was only about the appearance of the exteriors. I think the 99 Silverado still looks good. the Camaro I would change a couple things first get rid of the steel wheels on the LS. and raise the roof a few inches. At least I hope you agree with what I said about the Aztec.
Okay now about the mustang I think the 2005 looks better than 2012. and I am not a Ford fan. Somebody say something about the Challenger the front the back look good but the side is so bland.
I find it funny that when GM comes up with a good idea, people can’t wait to see the negitive in it! They choose to put all these cars on one platform and people complain about how long it is taking them!
Someone once said GM can’t win over everybody! Well they could if people just gave them a chance to!
The Chevy Volt should have a platform upgrade to a larger body, like the Buick LaCrosse size, so it can hold five passengers.
I agree about offering the Voltec powertrain in a larger (and any/all) body sizes… but not because it would seat five — not sure how many people are looking for a more-than-4 seating capacity.
but then if they put it in different body size like on the LaCrosse, wouldn’t that increase the vehicle cost just because as of right now the Voltec is still a very expensive?
If the Voltec becomes available on more vehicles, the system’s cost will decrease quickly assuming decent demand.
i meant the MSRP
I understand. The point is that if the cost of the system decreases, so will the cost to the consumer (MSRP).
That, and an initially-expensive system like Voltec will probably sell better in more expensive luxury cars (Buick, Cadillac) than in out-of-reach-for-most mainstream cars like the Volt.
Here’s hoping D2 is flexible enough to feature an entirely under-floor placement of the batteries for the next gen Volt and other EVs..
What about reports that GM will use the new PSA platform for Opel’s smaller models.
I wonder how this effects the use of the D2 platform for Opel?
And where is that “Most Popular Platform” mit 2.5Million cars on it beeing developed?
AT OPEL/ITDC IN GERMANY!!
I bet that the next comments will be something like “bla, but Opel looses money there, blub, get rid of that brand, blub”. Before you start to make up 1.000 reasons why Opel is bad for the general:
You closed-minded, self-proclaimed automotive experts should always keep in mind that the volume within GM’s portfolio is provided by D1XX (homeroom Opel/ITDC) and its successor D2XX!!
Any other OEM would kill for such a great architecture. So you all really believe that Opel is the reason for loosing money in GM Europe? Within a global company losses are in the books where they hurt less (or where they are far away from the tax payers…).
Any objective comment is highly appreciated. Regards