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Wrong. American car companies share platforms between several different cars. Go look at a Cadillac Escalade... It's the exact same car as a Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, or GMC Yukon, just with a different trim level/options. They're all based on the GMT900 platform, with either a short or long wheelbase. Now, go look at a Mercedes S class or BMW 7 series. There isn't a cheaper car in the lineup with updated trim to make it a S or 7 series, it's a completely different car from say, an E-class or 5 series.
And I suppose a Chevy spark, malibu, and Impala are all the same car? If there was no Buick or Cadillac the Chevy's would be unique. Not a good arguement.
And I suppose a Chevy spark, malibu, and Impala are all the same car? If there was no Buick or Cadillac the Chevy's would be unique. Not a good arguement.
The Chevy Spark is based on GM Gamma platform, the Chevy Malibu is based on GM Epsilon platform and the Impala is based on the GM Epsilon II platform (which it shares with the Cadillac XTS). All three Chevy's are obviously different cars. To get an idea of why this is the case, it’s important to understand what is happening under the sheet metal.
For reference the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban, GMC Yukon/XL/Denali, and Cadillac Escalade all share the GMT K2XX platform. To quote from the Cadillac Escalade Wiki:
"For the fourth generation Escalade, the SUVs share the same interior and exterior DNA as the Suburban/Tahoe and Yukon/XL/Denali. The only difference is that the front fascia has been completely redesigned featuring the same Cadillac signature frontal design, while the LED tail lamps that are located in the back now extend from the bumper all the way up to the top of the tailgate."
Last edited by iTsLiKeAnEgG; 10-18-2013 at 04:51 PM..
And I suppose a Chevy spark, malibu, and Impala are all the same car? If there was no Buick or Cadillac the Chevy's would be unique. Not a good arguement.
Since they are not the same car, you are not making a good argument. At all.
I've posted it before but this really is the best analogue to what GM is doing with the Escalade:
Aston Martin Cygnet vs. Scion IQ
Cadillac Escalade vs. Chevrolet Suburban
Aside from the stuff that is easy (read: cheap) to replace like bumper covers and lights, fenders, stick on chrome bits, etc you are looking at the same car. Look at the lines running along the body, the distance between doors, the length of doors, glass size/shape, etc. Then you can dig underneath and find that the measurements of most components are exactly the same and that they are basically the same parts.
Since they are not the same car, you are not making a good argument. At all.
My point is that you referenced BMW and Mercedes. Those brands do not have different divisions to share platforms, so saying that there higher end models don't share platforms with cheaper models is silly. If you want to go there, you'd have to compare the M models or the AMG models with their cheaper counterparts. Same cars souped up...
My point is that you referenced BMW and Mercedes. Those brands do not have different divisions to share platforms, so saying that there higher end models don't share platforms with cheaper models is silly. If you want to go there, you'd have to compare the M models or the AMG models with their cheaper counterparts. Same cars souped up...
There is nothing wrong with sharing platforms as this is a standard industry practice. There is something wrong with taking the same pig (platform and the vast majority of the sheet metal), putting lipstick on it and charging a lot more for it (the Cadillac badge). It's even worse when that pig is your top of the line luxury SUV. I'm not a fan of the Lexus ES for this same reason (too similar to the Avalon it’s based on) but even Lexus spent more time differentiating the two and the ES is nowhere near the top of the line Lexus.
There is nothing wrong with sharing platforms as this is a standard industry practice. There is something wrong with taking the same pig (platform and the vast majority of the sheet metal), putting lipstick on it and charging a lot more for it (the Cadillac badge). It's even worse when that pig is your top of the line luxury SUV. I'm not a fan of the Lexus ES for this same reason (too similar to the Avalon it’s based on) but even Lexus spent more time differentiating the two and the ES is nowhere near the top of the line Lexus.
Well since we're talking SUV's and you brought up Lexus, lets here how an LX is so much different than a Sequoia at almost twice the price.
I've posted it before but this really is the best analogue to what GM is doing with the Escalade:
Aston Martin Cygnet vs. Scion IQ
Cadillac Escalade vs. Chevrolet Suburban
Aside from the stuff that is easy (read: cheap) to replace like bumper covers and lights, fenders, stick on chrome bits, etc you are looking at the same car. Look at the lines running along the body, the distance between doors, the length of doors, glass size/shape, etc. Then you can dig underneath and find that the measurements of most components are exactly the same and that they are basically the same parts.
Those tiny micro machine cars, is one of them a Ford?!?!?!
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