The GM M platform was the designation used by General Motors for the platform that underpinned the second and third generation Suzuki Cultus and its offspring.
The preceding platform had been designed by Suzuki for their 1983 Cultus, and adopted by Chevrolet with the introduction of the Sprint.
The platforms of the second and third generations first appeared in 1989 and 1995 respectively. They were designed at GM's Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, USA. Suzuki designed all the engines, drivetrains and actual body. From 1985 through 1989, all models were imported from Suzuki's facilities in Hamamatsu, Japan. From 1990 on, all North American M-cars were produced at CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada with the exception of the convertible and turbocharged models which were imported from Japan. The third generation M platform was only sold by Suzuki as the Suzuki Swift in North America as Suzuki decided to create their own Swift to market around the world.
The following vehicles used this platform:
Suzuki Cultus Generation II, GM M platform:
| Nameplate | Market | Body | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1994 | Suzuki Swift | N. America | 3/4 | |
| 1985–2004 | Suzuki Swift | Europe | 5 | a. |
| 1991–2004 | Chevrolet Swift | Colombia | 3/4 | b. |
| 1989–1994 | Pontiac Firefly | Canada | all | |
| 1989–1994 | Geo Metro | N. America | 2/3/5 | c. |
| 1988–1994 | Holden Barina | Australia | 3/5 | d. |
| 1990–1994 | Maruti Suzuki 1000 | India | 4 | |
| 1995–2007 | Maruti Suzuki Esteem | India | 4 | |
| Suzuki Jazz | Chile | un | ||
| 1995–2003 | Subaru Justy | Europe | 3/5 | e. |
| 19–2008 | Suzuki Cultus | Pakistan | 5 | f. |
| 19–2007 | Chang'an Suzuki Lingyang | China | 4 |
2= 2-dr convertible
3= 3-dr hatchback
4= 4-dr sedan
5= 5-dr hatchback
un = unknown
a. Manufactured at Magyar Suzuki
b. Imported to Colombia
c. Geo branded models in US after 1989, in Canada after 1992
d. MF, MH: only generations of 'Cultus-derived' Barina
e. Justy JMA/MS, manufactured at Magyar Suzuki
f. Manufactured at Paksuzuki
Suzuki Cultus Generation III, GM M platform:
| Nameplate | Market | Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation III | |||
| 1995–2001 | Suzuki Swift | N. America | 3 |
| 1995–2001 | Pontiac Firefly | Canada | 3/4 |
| 1995–1997 | Geo Metro | N. America | 3/4 |
| 1998–2001 | Chevrolet Metro | USA | 3/4 |
3= 3-dr hatchback
4= 4-dr sedan
GM also used a different M platform for its rear-wheel drive minivans, the Chevrolet Astro and the GMC Safari.
Famous quotes containing the word platform:
“I marched in with the men afoot; a gallant show they made as they marched up High Street to the depot. Lucy and Mother Webb remained several hours until we left. I saw them watching me as I stood on the platform at the rear of the last car as long as they could see me. Their eyes swam. I kept my emotion under control enough not to melt into tears.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)