Volkswagen MQB Platform Allows for Easy and Cheap Variation

If automakers can experience envy, then Volkswagen'sVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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MQB (Modularer Querbaukasten or modular transverse layout) is inspiring it among automakers all over the world. It appears that Volkswagen's $70 billion investment in the platform could be the biggest thing since the assembly line.

In theory, the platform allows Volkswagen to vary nearly any part of the chassis as long as the portion where the engine and transmission are located stays stationary. It means that Volkswagen can make very different looking cars that are basically identical under the sheet metal. For example, the MQB will eventually be used for everything between the PoloVolkswagen Polo Gen.5Germany, 2009 > present247 versions
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to the production version of the seven-passenger Cross BlueVolkswagen CrossBlueGermany, 2014 > 20145 photos
concept. 

The MQB platform is already used on the latest generations of the GolfVolkswagen Volkswagen Golf Gen.7 [VII]Germany, 2012 > present363 versions
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, Audi A3Audi A3 Gen.3 [Typ 8V]Germany, 2012 > present275 versions
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, Seat LeonSeat Seat Leon Gen.3Spain, 2012 > present146 versions
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and Skoda OctaviaSkoda Octavia (Modern)Czech Rep., 1996 > present3 series
399 versions
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. Nearly all of the group's small and medium sized vehicles will eventually use the platform. Two-thirds of VW's estimated 10 million car worldwide sales in 2015 could come from cars based on the MQB platform.

The success or failure of the platform lies on the shoulders of VW head of product development Ulrich Hackenberg. He started as an engineer and has risen to be head of products for Volkswagen Group. 

Work on the project began in 2007 and lasted four years. While Volkswagen Group brands already had industry-leading levels of parts sharing, MQB will take that to the next level. 

The major threat to Volkswagen is that every part must be nearly perfect. By sharing most major components across so many cars and brands, a single flaw could cause a recall of millions of cars worldwide. Parts suppliers are used to requests of five million or six million parts over a car's lifespan; Volkswagen is asking for 35 million parts because of MQB's shared nature. 

The industry is watching Volkswagen closely. If MQB is a success, expect to see every major automaker copying it. JaguarJaguarUnited Kingdom, 1922 > present53 models
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Land RoverLand RoverUnited Kingdom, 1978 > present15 models
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is not even waiting and is already developing a modular platform that can be shared between next generation trucks and cars. 

Source: Automotive News Europe