At first glance, it may not be obvious that Chevy, Cadillac, Honda, and Acura all have something big in common. However, as soon as you get under the skin, you’ll discover that all four brands actually share something very important. As it turns out, all four brands offer a model underpinned by the GM BEV3 platform.
For those readers who may be unaware, the GM BEV3 platform is a highly scalable skateboard-type architecture designed to underpin unibody electric vehicles. The BEV3 acronym stands for “Battery Electric Vehicle, Generation 3,” and the platform follows the second-generation BEV2 platform. Originally announced in March of 2020, the BEV3 platform is suitable for passenger cars and crossover vehicles, and can support compact, midsize, and even full-size vehicles, as well as front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive drivelines. The platform positions an EV battery pack between the wheels, or within the wheelbase.
This highly flexible architecture serves as the underpinnings for the Chevy Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Honda Prologue, and Acura ZDX, covering all four brands mentioned. Not only that, but all four of these models also share the same Global B electronic architecture, the same powertrains, and even some of the same interior components, such as steering wheels and hard buttons.
Beyond that, however, there is a good degree of differentiation as well, especially in regard to things like exterior design, interior colorways, and materials. The infotainment specs differ as well, with the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Chevy Blazer EV is not. The Cadillac Lyriq is also equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but GM has stated that it will phase out the popular phone-mirroring systems in lieu of its own proprietary infotainment setup.
The production location for each of these vehicles also varies, with the Chevy Blazer EV and Honda Prologue both produced at the GM Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, and the Cadillac Lyriq and Acura ZDX produced at the GM Spring Hill plant in Tennessee.
Notably, GM and Honda have canceled plans to co-develop affordable EVs, signaling what could be a potential change when it comes to Honda’s future use of the GM EV platform.
Comments
With all this sharing, let’s put the Honda CRV hybrid power plant into the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox. Just a thought.
I wonder what the real reason was behind Honda bailing out of using gm’s batteries? Money/cost of batteries? Better battery technology from some other company? Perhaps an anticipation of lower EV sales? Honda’s internal battery development?
Hydrogen makes more sense than EVs
What do they all have in common? Nobody wants them.