General Motors M platform

The GM M platform was the designation used by General Motors for the platform that underpinned the first, second and third generation Suzuki Cultus and its offspring.

GM M platform
Geo Metro
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors/Suzuki
Also calledM-body
Production1985–2001
Body and chassis
Class
LayoutTransverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Body style(s)
Powertrain
Engine(s)1.0L G10 (I3)
1.0L G10T (I3 Turbo)
1.3L G13BA (I4 8v SOHC)
1.3L G13BB (I4 16v SOHC)
1.3L G13B (I4 16v DOHC)
Chronology
PredecessorNone
Successor

The first generation of this 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, some 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 Generations I and II, GM M platform:

Nameplate Market Body
1985–1988 Suzuki Forsa N. America 3/4
1985–1988 Chevrolet Sprint N. America (Colombian production continued until 2004) 3/4
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.
2000–2016 Suzuki Cultus Pakistan 5 f.
1999–2015 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
5 = 5-dr hatchback

GM also used a different M platform for its rear-wheel drive minivans, the Chevrolet Astro and the GMC Safari.

See also

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References

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