GM and Honda announce EV partnership

General Motors and Honda have announced they will co-develop a range of affordable electric vehicles based on a new global platform and powered by GM’s next-generation Ultium battery technology.

According to the two brands, the focus of the new EV joint-venture will be on world’s most popular – and most budget-friendly – vehicle segments, especially the compact SUV class, resulting in “global production of millions of EVs” starting in North America in 2027.

While GM’s Ultium battery tech will be at the core of the collaboration, both brands will contribute in terms of design, component sourcing, powertrain and other vehicle technologies like infotainment and safety.

The US and Japanese brands said standardised equipment and manufacturing processes will underpin the resulting vehicles’ quality and affordability – a key component of which will be the further development and refinement of battery technology including lithium-metal, silicon and solid-state designs.

The announcement builds on a pre-existing arrangement between the two manufacturers dating back to 2018, when it was revealed they would collaborate on EV battery development, which eventually facilitated the emergence of the Honda Prologue.

Even before that (2013), the two car-makers were working together on next-generation fuel-cell system and hydrogen storage technologies.

Separately, Honda is also co-developing a range of EVs with Sony.

“GM and Honda will share our best technology, design and manufacturing strategies to deliver affordable and desirable EVs on a global scale, including our key markets in North America, South America and China,” General Motors CEO Mary Barra said.

“By working together, we’ll put people all over the world into EVs faster than either company could achieve on its own.”

Honda senior managing executive officer Shinji Aoyama said the previous collaborations were proof of “the win-win relationship that can create new value” for customers.

“This new series of affordable EVs will build on this relationship by leveraging our strength in the development and production of high quality, compact class vehicles,” he said.

It remains to be seen what comes of the GM-Honda EV tie-up in terms of new models for Australia, where Honda says its first electric vehicle won’t be released until at least 2024, and where General Motors – which exited all right-hand drive markets in 2017 – is now represented by the GMSV network that sells only the Chevrolet Silverado and Corvette.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au