GM10

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The GM10 platform is the original basis for the W-body automobile platform from General Motors which underpins mid-size cars with front-wheel drive. The platform began in 1982 under Chairman Roger B. Smith and debuted in 1988 with the Pontiac Grand Prix, the Buick Regal, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme coupés. Sedans followed for 1990. GM10 has been called "The biggest catastrophe in American industrial history". The platform cost $7 billion to develop and was to replace all midsize cars produced by Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick. The plan was huge in scope, calling for seven plants that would each assemble 250,000 of the cars, or 21% of the total U.S. car market ^[1]. It was badly executed from the start, but GM’s 1984 reorganization, combined with changing market dynamics wrought havoc on the program and it never recovered. By 1989, the year before the last of the original GM10's were launched, GM was losing $2000 on every one of the cars it produced ^[2]. The later revision of this platform was known as the MS2000 or simply the W2-Car. Early versions used a fiberglass monoleaf spring in the rear, while second generation cars and the 1995 and up Lumina use a fully independent suspension front and rear with coil springs.

GM10 based W-bodies included:

• 1988-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
• 1988-1996 Pontiac Grand Prix
• 1988-1996 Buick Regal
• 1990-1994 Chevrolet Lumina

A derivative of the GM10 platform using the same front chassis but with a different rear suspension was also made, and used on:

• 1995-2001 Chevy Lumina
• 1995-1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

The GM10 platform was eventually phased out and replaced by the newer MS2000 platform, a W-body derivative.

[edit] See also

• GM W platform

[edit] References