GMT900 Retains Platform Crown

General Motors Co.'s GMT900 again was the top-producing light-vehicle platform in North America for 2010, a year where major gains were seen from a recessionary 2009.

GM's fullsize truck and SUV platform, which underpins 10 models including the Chevrolet Silverado, accounted for 974,017 vehicles in 2010, up from 673,307 in 2009, according to Ward's data.

From 2009 to 2010, the GMT900 more than doubled its lead over No.2 Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s Civic 8 platform, which shoulders several vehicles including the Honda Civic compact car.

As in 2009, the Civic 8 edged out Toyota Motor Corp.'s Camry 6 platform, which underpins the Camry sedan and Venza and Highlander CUVs.

Honda and Toyota were the only Asian auto makers to place two platforms in the top 10. Toyota's NCV, which supported the Corolla and Matrix and Pontiac Vibe compact car lines, as well as the RAV4 CUV, ranked sixth.

However, the NCV was one of the rare platforms to see fewer builds in 2010 than prior-year, dropping to 381,537 from 456,702. Its output was curtailed by the cessation of Vibe production.

Mazda CD3, which supports the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ midsize cars and Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX CUVs, accounted for the fourth-most builds of any platform in 2010. Its tally of 490,595 was up from 2009's 347,932, which was good enough for sixth place.

Ford Motor Co.'s P415 pickup platform held onto fifth place in 2010. The F-Series' bones shouldered 439,913 light-duty trucks, up from prior-year's 380,412.

GM's TE platform (Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain/Cadillac SRX/Chevrolet Captiva Sport) cracked the top 10 for the first time, rising to No.7 with 367,456 builds after placing 19^th in 2009 with 142,995.

Other big movers on the 2010 list included Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.'s new Hyundai YF platform, which underpins the Sonata midsize car. Sonata production totaled 218,607 in 2010, up from prior-year's tally of 103,876 vehicles based on the previous-generation Hyundai NF platform.