TABLE OF CONTENTS
> Why a vehicle platform strategy is needed
> The path to your vehicle platform strategy
> Common pitfalls while developing your platform strategy
> A few principles every platform strategy should adhere to
> What's next?

THE PATH TO YOUR VEHICLE PLATFORM STRATEGY

1. Outline the complete vehicle

It requires a clear picture of the corresponding complete vehicle to draw up the dimensions of a platform. The most important cornerstones include:

• The core features of the vehicle. These features are likely to be shared by all vehicle models – so choosing the core features also means outlining the systems and components that will make up the vehicle platform later on.
• The number of vehicle variants planned for release. This number not only determines the number of variations down the road, but also indicates how long the platform should last on the market.
• The segment(s) the vehicle intends to cover (aka its structure) and subsequently its pricing. This factor provides a baseline for the degree of modularity required by the platform.

These cornerstones are all derived from the business case. Creating an initial customer market profile (CMP) is the most important thing when defining vehicle targets. The CMP answers the previous considerations and shows what exactly a vehicle is supposed to accomplish and which market it is meant for. This information is needed for creating the initial “framework” for the vehicle.

2. Arrange all vehicle features and targets

There are two intertwining properties that need to be defined when outlining the complete vehicle: targets and features.

Targets (specifically, complete vehicle targets) encompass all the metrics and functional requirements a vehicle needs to achieve – those that are empirically measurable or evaluable by subjective perception. These could be a five-star safety rating, a maximum driving range of 700km, or more subjective targets in terms of driving comfort.

Features, on the other hand, encompass all requirements set by the customer market. Those could be blind-spot and backup cameras, integrated connectivity/infotainment functions, or a sliding roof. In essence, features encompass everything the final vehicle should have equipped.

These two properties are summarized in the complete vehicle target catalogue and the feature list. Those two documents subsequently make up the core elements of the vehicle’s functional strategy. Within a function strategy, all mechatronic (E/E-related) and mechanic (system-related) functions of the vehicle are determined based on the possible range of variants required by the CMP. For example, if a vehicle is not intended for release in the U.K. or Japan, a right-side drive is not needed.

3. Define your core vehicle and its variations

There is still one factor to consider once all features have been defined. Although platform and top hat are considered two separate entities, their individual components overlap too much to be completely separated later on during development. With this in mind, the project needs to decide on one core vehicle. This vehicle will be the centerpiece of development and all subsequent variations are derived from it. The core vehicle will be the first vehicle developed, produced, and launched. It therefore sets the standard for how the platform (and the vehicle series as a whole) is perceived.

4. Find a suitable base platform, if available

The last step in finalizing the vehicle platform strategy is finding a suitable platform. For new entrants, sharing a platform with another OEM can be a good method of reducing initial costs and time-to-market. With the core vehicle set up, the range of variations clear, and supplier requirements and BOM worked out, they can scour the market for any existing platform that meets their requirements. 

Modularity is one additional thing to note about shared platforms. Modern vehicle platforms have a far greater degree of adaptability than just a few decades ago. This means that they can be adapted to a much wider range of deviations. Thus, vehicle platforms don’t limit a vehicle manufacturer’s creativity. Instead, they allow them to focus on the features that make a vehicle unique by providing a technical basis on which those features can shine. Besides, a platform mainly consists of the “invisible” parts of a vehicle.

Traditional OEMs utilize platform sharing as well, although in a somewhat different manner than new entrants. They can either select an existing platform from their portfolio, design a new in-house platform based on their previous vehicles, or in some cases also share a platform with another OEM.
The bottom line is that platform sharing is a common way to bring a vehicle on the market as efficiently as possible. Developing a new platform is more expensive – but also enables more innovation.

COMMON PITFALLS WHILE DEVELOPING YOUR PLATFORM STRATEGY

New players in the automotive industry sometimes underestimate how early they need to initiate contact with component and system suppliers. Long lead times are a big hurdle in a market that’s all about flexible development schemes and fast time-to-market requirements. Taking care of such parts too late or making mistakes can greatly hamper the process of not only the vehicle platform strategy, but also the entire project. Therefore, identifying long-lead parts early and quickly acquiring the necessary suppliers should be on the top of every new entrant’s to-do list.

The same holds true for core suppliers. Some systems may not have long lead times, yet they are vitally important for the further planning, development, and testing of the vehicle’s other systems. Much like long-lead parts suppliers, the suppliers of these core parts and/or systems must also be identified and onboarded as soon as possible.

Finally, there is the chance that sometimes vital steps of the concept phase may be overlooked. A vehicle project must have a clear strategy that leaves no room for interpretation and adaptation at the end of the concept phase, because anything changed or missed after this will have severe consequences on the project and its schedule. Therefore, the concept phase is the most important phase of a vehicle project.

A FEW PRINCIPLES EVERY PLATFORM STRATEGY SHOULD ADHERE TO

There are a few things to consider when laying out the basis for a platform strategy:

Make sure your project's foundation is stable

By far the most important assurance for working out a sound platform strategy (and really a sound project schedule in general) is to ensure that its foundation is flawless. This means that the complete vehicle concept must be treated with utmost accuracy starting with the business case. A clear product vision and a clear customer market profile must be in place, with both comprehensive and comprehensible concepts derived from them. A complete vehicle requires clear targets – and those in turn need thorough groundwork.

Always keep an eye on your future production scope

The platform strategy is a tool to reduce initial costs and to lay out a long-term roadmap for a vehicle portfolio. It gives vehicle developers the opportunity to release several derivatives on a common technical basis and scale production volumes. Thus, the subsequent vehicle models benefit from scalability effects, standardized production processes, and a proven supplier network.

Look out for a partner who fits your needs

Vehicle development requires tremendous amounts of resources, time, skills, and workforce from the very start – which, particularly for new entrants, often poses the largest barrier before the project even leaves the ground.
Teaming up with a development and production partner allows new entrants to gain considerable footing before and during the complete vehicle project. Magna, for example, offers a complete one-stop-shop service, accompanying new players from conceptualization to serial production of their own vehicle. Of course, this also includes the search for and adaptation of a suitable base platform.