GM and Honda to develop new electric vehicles for Honda powered by GM’s Ultium batteries
April 3, 2020
General Motors Company (GM) and Honda Motor Co.,Ltd. have agreed to jointly develop two all-new electric vehicles for Honda, based on GM’s highly flexible global EV platform powered by its proprietary Ultium batteries. The exteriors and interiors of the new EVs will be exclusively designed by Honda, and the platform engineered to support Honda’s driving character. According to the companies, the production of these Honda electric vehicles will combine the development expertise of both companies, and will be manufactured at GM plants in North America. Sales are expected to begin in the 2024 model year in Honda’s United States and Canadian markets.
The two companies explain that they have an ongoing relationship around electrification, which includes work on fuel cells and the Cruise Origin, an electric, self-driving and shared vehicle, which was revealed in San Francisco earlier this year. Honda also joined GM’s battery module development efforts in 2018. As part of the agreement to jointly develop electric vehicles, Honda will reportedly incorporate GM’s OnStar safety and security services into the two EVs, integrating them with HondaLink. Additionally, Honda plans to make GM’s hands-free advanced driver-assist technology available.
“This collaboration will put together the strength of both companies, while combined scale and manufacturing efficiencies will ultimately provide greater value to customers,” stated Rick Schostek, Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This expanded partnership will unlock economies of scale to accelerate our electrification roadmap and advance our industry-leading efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Schostek added, “We are in discussions with one another regarding the possibility of further extending our partnership.”
Doug Parks, GM Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, commented, “This agreement builds on our proven relationship with Honda, and further validates the technical advancements and capabilities of our Ultium batteries and our all-new EV platform.”
Parks continued, “Importantly, it is another step on our journey to an all-electric future and delivering a profitable EV business through increased scale and capacity utilisation. We have a terrific history of working closely with Honda, and this new collaboration builds on our relationship and like-minded objectives.”
