NBS Truck – What Does NBS Platform Mean?

You might have overseen many people online arguing about which is better NBS VS NNBS, but hardly anyone knows what NBS and NNBS stand for. NBS (New body style) or GMT800 stands for a GM truck platform which was used between 1999 and 2006, NNBS or GMT900 stands for a GM truck platform used between 2007 and 2014, and OBS or GMT400 stands for a GM truck platform which was used between 1988 and 1998.

NBS/GMT800 GM truck platform (1999-2006):

• GMT800/880 – (1999-2006) Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra
• GMT820 – (2002-2006) Cadillac Escalade/Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon
• GMT820* - (2003-2009) Hummer H2 (Special platform)
• GMT830 – (2000-2006) Cadillac Escalade ESV/Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL
• GMT805 – (2002-2006) Chevy Avalanche
• GMT806 – (2002-2006) Cadillac Escalade EXT

GMT800/880 – (1999-2006) Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra

The GMT800/880 NBS lineup consists out of the first-gen Chevy Silverado and the 2nd gen GMC Sierra. These two were introduced as successors to the late Chevy C/K truck. The name Silverado originated from the previous top-of-the-line trim level of the C/K and it has since proven to be one of the most popular Chevy trucks to date.

GMT820 – (2002-2006) Cadillac Escalade/Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon

The GMT820 platform was a slightly redesigned platform for the Cadillac Escalade, the Chevy Tahoe, and the GMC Yukon. All three of these are still incredibly popular, but they originated on the NBS GMT 800 platform. 

GMT820* - (2003-2009) Hummer H2 (Special platform)

However, even though the GMT800/NBS platform remained more or less unchanged through the early to mid-2000s, GM made a small detour with the Hummer H2. The 2003 Hummer H2 introduced a heavily redesigned platform with a completely different midsection. The front section and the rear section were beefed up, but GM sold the H2 as part of the NBS/GMT800 platform family.

GMT830 – (2000-2006) Cadillac Escalade ESV/Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL

The GMT830 nomenclature was introduced for the stretched-out version of the Cadillac Escalade and the two full-size aforementioned full-size trucks. The differences between the regular Escalade and the ESV were pretty much the same as with the regular Yukon and the Yukon XL. The only difference is a slightly longer chassis in order to provide more interior and cargo space.

GMT805 – (2002-2006) Chevy Avalanche

The GMT805 platform was introduced and only limited to the Chevy Avalanche because the Avalanche was Chevy exclusively. The 1st gen Avalanche proved to be quite successful because the Avalanche was nominated for the prestigious North American SUV of the Year Award and it also won Motor Trend’s award for the best truck from 2002.

GMT806 – (2002-2006) Cadillac Escalade EXT

Even though the GMT805 platform was only reserved for the 1st gen Chevy Avalanche, the GMT806 platform which was virtually identical to the one in the Avalanche was introduced with the Cadillac Escalade EXT. The EXT was intended to be somewhat of a sporty utility truck, but the idea was dropped soon enough because the Cadillac EXT was the only Cadillac Escalade pick-up truck to ever exist.

Best GM Truck Models Of All Time

GMC Sierra 2500HD

The GMC Sierra is GMC’s answer to the Ford F-150 and considering that the F-150 is the most popular and best-sold vehicle in the US, it is rather obvious that the Sierra 2500HD is an incredibly important GM product and that’s why it takes the top position as the best GM truck of all time.

The GMC Sierra arguably even looks better than the F-150 which means that GMC tries to combine styling, utility, and relative affordability in order to cater to the widest possible customer base. This has not yet managed to dethrone the F-150, but it seems that hardly anything will anytime soon.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

It comes as no surprise that the Silverado 1500 also has to be at the very top of the “best GM trucks off all time” list because it is after all the benchmark GM truck. However, the GMC Sierra does offer more stuff when compared to the Silverado because GM decided to place the Sierra as an all-around step above the Silverado.

Even so, these two trucks have always shared the same underpinnings which means that underneath the skin they are almost identical. This works in favor of the Silverado because it does cost less when compared to the Sierra. However, out of the box, the Sierra is a definite step above the Silverado.

Chevrolet Colorado

The mid-size pick-up truck segment has earned quite a reputation in recent times because the Toyota Tacoma, the Chevy Colorado, the Ford Ranger, the Honda Ridgeline, and the brand-new Ford Maverick are making all the noise right now. Even though the Tacoma has somewhat managed to surpass the Colorado, the newest Colorado model aims to set things straight.

If you opt for the ZR2 model you are looking at a package that can not be matched by any other mid-size pick-up truck on the market right now and the only one that comes close is the Ford Ranger Raptor. Either way, the Colorado is a staple GM product and it definitely deserves to be near the top of this list.

GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon might not have the mass appeal the Chevy Colorado has but it certainly does look sharper, at least as far as current models are concerned. It is arguably a more driver-focused option with a better-looking interior as well.

However, the GMC Canyon falls short because the top-tier Denali trim is not all that top-tier as far as the Canyon is concerned thus making the Colorado seem like a more reasonable purchase. Either way, the Canyon is better looking and it does surpass the Colorado as far as usability is concerned.

Chevrolet Avalanche

Even though the Chevy Avalanche was widely regarded as an all-around great truck, GM decided to discontinue the Avalanche with the 2013 production model because it saw a great decline as far as outright sales were concerned.

This is because the truck market back then was overtaken by full-size pick-up trucks like the F-150, the Silverado, and the Dodge Ram. Either way, the Avalance certainly deserves to have a spot on the “best GM trucks of all time” list because it offered something different yet appealing at the same time.

Cadillac Escalade EXT

The Cadillac Escalade EXT and the Chevy Avalanche were based on a similar platform and both of these were discontinued for the same reasons. Time was not fond of these types of trucks and they were soon surpassed by luxury SUVs and pick-up trucks.

However, the Avalance seems to have fared a lot better than the EXT even though the EXT also had a fairly positive reception. The rumor is that GMC is secretly developing the new EXT-like pick-up version of the Escalade and only time will tell if this is indeed true.

FAQ Section

Why Do Car Manufacturers Use One Platform for Multiple Cars?

For cost-saving purposes, manufacturers tend to share parts between different models, so much so that sometimes these cars are not even in the same segment. For example, VAG currently uses a platform called MQB for many different cars including Audi hatchbacks, VW SUVs, and a few sedans as well. These can be altered depending on the priorities a specific VAG promotes and thus making the products seem different enough.

What’s The Newest GM Truck Platform These Days?

GMT T1XX is GM’s newest truck/SUV platform for models such as the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, and the Chevy Suburban. This platform was first introduced for pickup trucks back in 2018 and was later adopted for SUVs in 2020.

Does GMC Build Better Trucks Than Chevrolet?

From the outset, trucks built by Chevy and GMC are extremely similar, but more often than not GMC simply offers that bit more over a comparable Chevy product. For example, if you want the range-topping 6.2L V8, you have to go for the GMC Sierra AT4. A comparable Chevy truck would be the Silverado Trail Boss, but the Boss only comes with a 5.3L V8. Furthermore, GMC trucks offer higher quality interiors and arguably more pleasing exterior design as well.

Why is it So Rare That a Car Has a Standalone Platform?

Because the costs associated with new platform research and development are extremely high, so much so that costs such as these are often the most expensive of them all. Automakers tend to spread the chassis through several product lines, and they only make standalone car platforms if the car in question is extremely special and expensive. That being said, if a car does offer a standalone platform it usually costs a lot of money.

How Can Manufacturers Even Use The Same Platforms For Different Types of Cars?

A decade or so ago, manufacturers wanted to maximize the shareability of parts between different models by making a so-called “Modular Platform”. Platforms such as these are tied to strict basic essential components which means that they can vary in size and shape even though they all share the same underpinnings. These can even be shared between cars from different segments because the modularity they usually offer is incredibly extensive.