GM D platform

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The D platform, or D-body, was Cadillac' last full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform in the 1990s. It was closely related to the GM B platform, though the Cadillac used an extra-long 121.5 in wheelbase. All B-bodies were built in Arlington, Texas, United States for the 1991-1996 model years, with D-body production exclusively at Arlington for the 1988-1996 model years. Earlier D-Bodies were produced at Detroit, Michigan in addition to Arlington for the 1977-1987 model years. Pre-1991 B-Bodies, depending on model, body style, and year were also produced at Lordstown, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Wilmington, Delaware; Fairfax, Kansas; Tarrytown, New York; Norwood, Ohio; Van Nuys, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Janesville, Wisconsin; and Oshawa, Ontario, Canada- though never all in the same year. Some plants were operational at start-up in 1976 for the 1977 model year, only to be replaced after a few years as replacement plants tooled up. The number of plants producing the B-Body declined gradually during the mid to late 1980's, until all B-Body production was confined to the single plant at Arlington, Texas beginning in 1990 for the 1991 model year.

The big D platform debuted in 1977 as the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham (then considered a C body car). The "Fleetwood Brougham" name was retained for the last remaining 121.5-inch-wheelbase RWD former C body model in 1985 as the "Fleetwood" moved to the front wheel drive C-body, essentially making the D-body the new designation for the only model to remain on the RWD version of the former C-body. From 1987, the D-body model was simply called the Cadillac Brougham. The last D-body Cadillac Brougham rolled off the line in 1992, being redesigned and renamed Fleetwood for 1993. That model ended production in 1996, leaving only arch-rival Lincoln producing large rear wheel drive luxury sedans.

Today, however, the situation looks to reverse, with Lincoln switching to front wheel drive for most cars and Cadillac reintroducing rear wheel drive with their new Sigma platform. Chrysler has also reintroduced rear wheel drive with their new LX platform. However, none of these cars is nearly as large as the D-body.

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