Is Epsilon Evil? Tale of the Three Amigos

To many, the Epsilon platform is an example of evil platform sharing by GM. The Epsilon platform is shared by the Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Malibu, Saab 9-3 and a few other models not available in the US. Whether it is a seasoned journalist or a fanatic automotive internet forum user, is the attitude toward platform sharing by GM fair? Really, is platform sharing a concept that is thrown around loosely but rarely understood? I have read articles by several journalists, observed heated forum discussions, and even seen countless blog postings pointing at platform sharing, especially platform sharing by American makes, as a heinous practice.

While badge engineering is pretty superficial, platform sharing, like that of the GM Epsilon platform or even Ford's C1 platform, is much more involved from an engineering standpoint. In all honesty, the Epsilon platform cars are all different from one another. They drive differently, have very different interiors and their dimensions are significantly different. Look at this side by side comparison I worked up on Edmunds

These platform partners share similar architecture but are not simply rebadged versions of the same car. If you do a quantitive comparison of the features, specifications, and powertrains between each model, it is easy to see that they are completely different. Does anyone remember the G-body GM models like the Cutlass, Monte Carlo, and Regal? A side by side visual comparison would easily spot that they were the same basic design. It is different for the Epsilon platform.

What GM is doing is no different than what Toyota does. In the American market the Echo, Corolla, Matrix, Scion xB, and Scion xA all share the same suspension technology. In fact, the corolla and Matrix are built at the same plant on the same platform along with the Pontiac Vibe and the Scion xB and xA ride on the same platform the echo is derived from. Honda is no different. The Acura RSX and Honda Civic share the same platform. The Honda Accord, Acura TSX, and Acura TL all ride on Honda's Accord platform. Even DaimlerChrysler is guilty of the same practice. In fact, DC's platform sharing is much more on the badge engineer end of the sepctrum. What does GM continue to catch fire for this? In fact, there is probably no real way for the average consumer to tell they are based on the same platform. It is an excellent way for manufacturers to save money.

The criticism of the practices of platform sharing need to be taken in perspective of what they mean to the consumer. The automotive elite have to continue to find something to create conflict where, they may not be in the consumers mind. This is indicative of a more and more critical auto media that have lost touch with the consumer, a consumer who would benefit from objective and fair comparisons and reviews.

Oh well, Toyota would still be on top. But please, I would like some comments.