Automotive+Platform+Design

Platform Design is becoming increasingly important to modern automotive manufacturers…

=Why?=

The inherent cost of developing a ‘stand alone’ vehicle is prohibitive to manufactures, due to the high tooling costs and testing regime associated with new models. The 'product life cycle' of a car is typically 6 years, with a ‘facelift’ update usually halfway through this timescale. This gives a relatively short period for the payback of the tooling costs. To offset this manufactures work with both manufacturers within their group and other manufacturers outside this to develop a new model.

Give me an example….

 * [[image:TT.jpg width="289" height="207"]] || [[image:golf.jpg width="300" height="206"]] || [[image:skoda.jpg width="328" height="207"]] ||
 * **Audi TT** || **VW Golf** || **Skoda Octavia** ||
 * Yes they’re all based on the same platform!**


 * But what about the engines?**

Well no, the 1.8T version of the above share the same base engine, the differences are down to the engine management.


 * The Future…**

Nearly all manufacturers have seen the financial benefit of this; a good recent example is the tie in between Ford and Fiat with the new KA and 500 respectively. However with the new Audi TT they have developed a bespoke platform to promote the sporting focus of the model.
 * [[image:500.jpg width="242" height="173"]] || [[image:ka.jpg width="197" height="128"]] ||