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It costs billions of USD to design a new platform. VW spent $60 billion USD on their MQB platform [1]. 1. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/vw-could-
by gavia1 7y ago
It costs billions of USD to design a new platform. VW spent $60 billion USD on their MQB platform [1].
1. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/vw-could-sell-50bn-mqb-platform https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/vw-could-sell-50...
- auiya 7y agoRight, so why not re-purpose as much of an existing, proven platform as you can?
- gavia1 7y agoThe idea is that by designing a new platform you can create one which has a 10-20 year lifespan. These platforms tend to be designed for both electric and hybrid cars, can have variable wheelspans, tracks, and widths while retaining a common set of drivetrains. The MQB and MLB platforms from VW are two examples of this. Monkey patching an old platform might get you another model generation, but ultimately it will end up being more expensive and less flexible in the long run.