Explaining The Body Structure Of The GM C1 Platform

[AVANTI R5]

Earlier this year, GM Authority exclusively outlined how the GM C1 platform supports eight crossover utility vehicles, a circumstance that enables it to achieve massive economies of scale for the Detroit-based automaker. We’ve also explained why the same architecture has slightly different dimensions on similarly-sized vehicles. Now, it’s time to take an in-depth look at the engineering behind the platform.

First, a reminder of the eight vehicles that ride on C1.

GM C1 Platform Summary

Vehicle Model Code Platform Variant Production Facility 1 Production Facility 2 Intro Model Year

Cadillac XT5 C1UL V1 – regular wheelbase, narrow track Spring Hill, TN, USA Jinqiao Cadillac, Shanghai, China 2017

GMC Acadia C1UG V1 – regular wheelbase, narrow track Spring Hill, TN, USA - 2017

Chevrolet Traverse C1YC V2 – long wheelbase, wide track Delta Township, Michigan, USA - 2018

Buick Enclave C1YB V2 – long wheelbase, wide track Delta Township, Michigan, USA - 2018

Chevrolet Blazer (2-row) C1UC V3 – regular wheelbase, wide track, short rear end Ramos Arizpe, Mexico - 2019

Cadillac XT6 C1TL V4 – regular wheelbase, wide track, long rear end Spring Hill, TN, USA Jinqiao Cadillac, Shanghai, China 2020

Baby Buick Enclave C1UB V4 – regular wheelbase, wide track, long rear end - Jinqiao Cadillac, Shanghai, China 2021

Chevrolet Blazer (3-row) C1UC-S V4 – regular wheelbase, wide track, long rear end - Jinqiao Cadillac, Shanghai, China 2021

With the prerequisites out of the way, there are three core pieces that make up the GM C1 platform body structure. The first is the front-end structure, which covers the front end of the vehicle, and includes such pieces as the engine cradle, firewall/front of dash, instrument panel and center stack mounts.

Interestingly, this piece – labeled “A” in our depiction – is common to all vehicles on the C1 architecture. When made at the body shop, this hunk of metal can end up in any of the eight crossovers currently riding on the C1 platform.




The second component goes between the B and C pillars. There are three versions of this piece – one for two-row crossovers (like the XT5 and two-row Blazer), another for midsize-plus three-row crossovers like the Acadia, XT6, three-row Blazer and “baby” Buick Enclave, and yet another for extended-length three-row models like the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. This piece is denoted “B” in our diagram.

And finally, the third component starts from the C-pillar and runs toward the rear end of the vehicle. This particular piece is shared much like component “B”, but has some variance. For instance, the GMC Acadia uses a different structure as it relates to this piece when compared to other three-row models such as the XT6, baby Enclave and three-row Blazer.

Outside of these three core pieces of the structure, vehicles that ride on the GM C1 platform also share a significant amount of other common parts and components, including the electrical system, various systems controls, and HVAC componentry. But you wouldn’t know it by looking at the vehicles – which is a (very) good thing. The C1 architecture is platform sharing done right, showing just how far the automaker has come from the badge engineering days horrors of yore.

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