An automobile

platform is

shared

set

of

common

design,

engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a

number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from
different, but related marques. It is practiced in the automotive industry to
reduce the costs associated with the development of products by basing
those products on a smaller number of platforms. This further allows companies
to create distinct models from a design perspective on similar underpinnings.
The companies gain on reduced procurement cost by taking advantage
of the commonality of the components. However, this also limits their ability to
differentiate the products and imposes a risk of losing the tangible
uniqueness of the product.
Key mechanical components that define an automobile platform include:

The floorpan (large sheet metal stamping that form the floor of a
vehicle), which serves as a foundation for the chassis and other structural
and mechanical components to which the powertrain, suspension system,
and other parts are attached.

Front and rear axles and the distance between them - wheelbase
(distncia entre eixos, isto , entre os centros das rodas dianteiras e
traseiras)

Steering mechanism and type of power steering

Type of front and rear suspensions

Placement and choice of engine and other powertrain components

Vehicle

platform-sharing

combined

with

advanced

and

flexible-

manufacturing technology enables automakers to sharply reduce product

development and change over time, while modular design and assembly
allow building a greater variety of vehicles from one basic set of
engineered components. The use of a platform strategy provides several
benefits:

Greater flexibility between plants (the possibility of transferring

production from one plant to another due to standardization),

Cost reduction achieved through using resources on a global scale,

Increased use of plants (higher productivity due to the reduction in the

number of differences), and

Reduction of the number of platforms as a result of their localization on a

worldwide basis.

Examples:
- VW MQB-based models (Modularer Querbaukasten, or "modular transverse
component system", for transverse engined cars):

Audi A3 Mk3 (mark 3: 3rd generation)

SEAT Len Mk3

Volkswagen Golf Mk7

koda Octavia Mk3

- VW PL71-based models:

Volkswagen Touareg (Typ 7L)

Porsche Cayenne

Audi Q7 (Typ 4L)