Will we ever see their like again?

[Xingu]

I believe Ace was talking about shared platforms between all manufacturers, not just the ones that have partnered up or have been bought out and merged by larger corporations.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I believe Ace was talking about shared platforms between all manufacturers, not just the ones that have partnered up or have been bought out and merged by larger corporations.

Exactly.

For example, a single industry-wide platform could accommodate a wide array of FWD 4-door sedans and sport-utes. Another platform could be the foundation of every pickup in a particular weight and wheelbase range. Another platform for small cars like the Fiat 500, Mini, etc.  Etc., etc.

Shared powertrains too. Why have multiple engines that all make pretty much the same power and torque and get the same fuel economy? Rationalize to a few industry-wide engines in several displacements for various applications...instead of hundreds. Rationalize transmissions, brake systems, all of it. It makes NO sense the way things are done today.

Billions of dollars are spent annually in duplicated effort. Wasted effort, really. Who pays for it? Consumers, you, in higher-than-necessary vehicle prices.

Sure, the system as-is keeps a lot of engineers and designers and middle-managers employed, but if you ever have the opportunity to work AT LENGTH on the over-complicated, difficult-to-service carp most of them turn out, you'll soon see that the industry as a whole would be better keeping the GOOD engineers and designers (concentrating their efforts on turning out some really great stuff) and letting the rest of them go.

[Snake45]

Such a platform should be called "Aurora." Or maybe "Aurora T-Jet.)

[Xingu]

I was thinking more about this today (plenty of time to think when stuck in DC area traffic). This would adversely affect others, such as parts suppliers and retailers not to mention all the aftermarket companies out there. There would be no need for all the auto parts stores. We could all go to the Government owned parts depot. This would also make it easier for Big Brother to get involved and tell us what we can and cannot do. I can see old cars being crushed now. Conform or get consumed.

[Ace-Garageguy]

... We could all go to the Government owned parts depot...

Who the jell said anything about "government owned"? That's a pretty far conclusion jump that I didn't even imply.

And how the jell do you make the jump to "old cars being crushed"? Huh?  

All the auto parts stores, selling their cheap Chinese knockoff parts that aren't built to OEM specs (by a long shot...I deal with their GARBAGE every day), don't fit and only last a few months could keep on selling their carp to maintain the fleet of vehicles in operation now.

Rationalizing production of NEW vehicles could conceivably lower the costs of manufacturing IN THE US, and help provide jobs that would reinforce the dwindling middle class...the middle class that used to be this country's bedrock, and that's being eroded more and more every time production / manufacturing is moved out of the country to 'save a buck'.

Edited April 27, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Xingu]

When the whole industry standardizes, it will be easier for the Government to regulate and control. Our Government cannot run itself efficiently, let alone other industries. That was the jump I made.

The Government has already tried to crush the old cars. to give the illusion they are cleaning up the environment by getting rid of the old gas guzzling, ozone depleting dinosaurs of the past (which I love and will hold onto until I die). Government control and regulation will have far reaching effects.

Eventually there will be no current fleet. All the old cars will be obsolete and only viewed in museums. There will be one vehicle and since it will be self driving, it will be owned and operated by the Government. I do agree that the parts stores do currently sell BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH.

New vehicle production is already highly automated. If it is simplified and standardized even more, it could become nearly fully automated. There will be jobs for designers, engineers and programmers. The middle class fabrication and assembly jobs will be further lost.

I agree that lowered production costs, and/or higher import taxes, are needed to help provide and keep US jobs. Corporate tax loopholes need to also be closed. IMO many automakers solely make decisions on how it personally affects their board members and not the majority of their workers or even the consumers. If the incentive for them to take their manufacturing plants overseas was taken away or penalized, they would adjust their business model. Hopefully that wouldn't be to the detriment of the average middle class factory worker.

I think we still need diversity in the automotive industry. This pushes innovation and safety and still lets us buy a vehicle that fits our individual personalities. I want to be able to pick a vehicle that suits my needs. Not just decide between the light gray one or the dark gray one.

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

I want to be able to pick a vehicle that suits my needs. Not just decide between the light gray one or the dark gray one.

Ummm...tell me where I said I advocated all cars being the same except for color? Again, that's NOT what I suggested at all.

A PLATFORM is the underguts of a car. Consumers don't give a rat's buttocks about what's under a car, or know what any of the greasy bits do anyway. Most of 'em can't even open the hood, and wouldn't want to. They're far more mechanically ignorant than they were in the past, so why not give them maybe 10 or 15 rationalized platforms to suit all the possible vehicle types, and let additional diversity remain in body styling, interior choices, and options...which are the things consumers care about and consider to make their purchasing decisions.

THAT'S what I suggested above...not every car being identical except for color. 

Edited April 28, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Xingu]

Not saying you advocate any of that. I just think shared platforms is a 'foot in the door' or 'give them an inch and they take a mile' scenario.

I have no idea where this fear of Government has come from all of a sudden. I used to not care about what they did.

[Matt Bacon]

These days, a "platform" is even more flexible. If you look at what VW, JLR and Aston Martin are doing (and to a certain extent, McLaren), their "platforms" underpin a wide rage of cars. None more so than VWs "MQB" which runs the gamut in size from Polo to Passat, and in style from Audi TT to VW Touran. Add in the MLB, which covers everything from the A4 to the Bentayga, and just two platforms cover nearly every car across VW, Audi, SEAT and Skoda...

bestest,

M.

[Lovefordgalaxie]

Well, I drive daily a 1974 car, with 1966 styling, and 1957 engine. Really couldn't care less for what's in the dealers today. Yes, it has bias ply tires, a V8, chrome (real steel) a carburetor, points, condenser, and never, ever let me down. I just drive once in a while my mother's Focus, mainly to do regular maintenance, like oil changes, and so, and when I do so, I miss my old Ford a lot.