During her recent presentation at the General Motors Capital Markets Day event, GM CEO Mary Barra provided insight into how the automaker was working towards reducing emissions with its newer vehicle launches. As Barra outlined, part of the strategy involves weight reduction, with new GM platforms shedding hundreds of pounds on average.
“For example, we have removed an average of 350 pounds from each architecture for our new vehicle launches,” Barra said during her presentation. “This has reduced carbon emissions by about 312 metric tons per year, and it demonstrates the strides toward zero emissions will also come from our traditional lineup. So while [electric vehicles] and [autonomous vehicles] are key elements in our vision, our work is already underway with our current product portfolio and pipeline.”
A few examples of newer vehicles that have shown significant weight savings between the current generation and previous generation include the Chevrolet Cruze (223 pounds), Chevrolet Equinox (425 pounds), and Chevrolet Malibu (346 pounds).
In addition to reducing the weight of the various GM platforms, Barra said that General Motors was also working on upping efficiency through 3D printing techniques, parts consolidation, and improved aerodynamics, not to mention utilization of lightweight materials.
Indeed, an average reduction of 350 pounds per GM platform is no small feat. Weight is a particularly troublesome metric for engineers, as it affects a wide variety of vehicle characteristics, from fuel efficiency, to handling, to parts longevity and reliability.
As we covered previously, General Motors is currently working to consolidate a multitude of disparate GM platforms into just four vehicle sets by 2025. The new Vehicle Set Strategy, also known as VSS, will significantly streamline the production process, while also decreasing development time/time to market, add engineering efficiency, and increase margins.
Looking ahead, the insights gleaned with regard to lightweighting the various GM platforms will no doubt pay dividends in the automaker’s electrification efforts. Electric vehicles are notoriously heavy, with the batteries used typically adding substantially to vehicle heft. As such, any pounds saved can make things substantially easier for engineers.
Comments
GM has really done a good job using mixed materials to cut weight. It has not only helped mpg but let GM add things like IRS to Tahoe’s and not gain near as much weight as they would have.
Omega was THE platform… a technological tour de force and it was developed and is now essentially dead… nice investment GM…. you’re sucking wind…. but thanks for all the “ehhhh”, cookie cutter FWD CUV’s you’re making…
Besides the mpg advantage of lighter vehicles, there’s the old hot rodders’ saying; “Taking weight OUT is the same as putting horsepower IN.”
Like to toot your own horn much Mary? Too bad your weight loss didn’t translate to the new Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon lineup and many of the vehicles that did get the loss are out of production thanks to your train wreck leadership. And even the new pickup trucks that did get a weight loss somehow managed a mileage loss with certain engines like the 4.3 and AFM 5.3 Ecotec motors and the volume selling 2019/2020 Silverado/Sierra with the DFM 5.3 are rated identical at 16/22 to the old heavier trucks with the old drivetrains and 6 speed transmissions so where is this carbon foot print savings here? And this zero emissions statement we keep hearing is more smoke and mirrors and something that won’t be fully possible in our lifetimes! More like zero emissions as the vehicle drives but the battery is dirty to make and dispose of and charging generates emissions so it’s hardly zero!
Everyone can lose over 200 pounds of useless weight in their present cars. Just leave your mother-in-law behind!
200 lbs of useless weight, that would be Mary.
That’s what GM should shed that useless fat A$$
Yes, exactly. GM should be more interested in shedding Mary Barra and her fat salary instead.
Tha New CT5 with the updated Alpha platform gained weight. The old CTS bragged about weighing less than the competition now the new CT5 weigh more. That’s progress for you.
The real accomplishment would be weight loss by the grossly overweight average American driver. Some see this as impossible.😂
Unfortunately, your comment has nothing to do with GM or it’s vehicles.
Just put the driver in the car on scales and it will.