General Motors and Honda are teaming up to create two new electric vehicles (EVs) for Honda using the Detroit-based automaker’s new flexible EV platform and Ultium batteries. While the new cars will be built using GM architecture and power source, the interior and exterior of the vehicles will be exclusively designed by Honda.
The vehicles will be assembled at GM plants in North America starting with the 2024 model year for Honda’s U.S.
and Canadian markets.
This isn’t the first partnership between the two companies. They have worked together to develop fuel cells and the Cruise Origin, a self-driving shuttle bus-like vehicle that is set to be produced alongside the forthcoming GMC Hummer EV.
Honda also joined GM’s battery module development efforts in 2018.
“This collaboration will put together the strength of both companies, while combined scale and manufacturing efficiencies will ultimately provide greater value to customers,” said 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.”
“We are in discussions with one another regarding the possibility of further extending our partnership,” Schostek said.
According to Doug Parks, GM executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, “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.
“Importantly, it is another step on our journey to an all-electric future and delivering a profitable EV business through increased scale and capacity utilization. We have a terrific history of working closely with Honda, and this new collaboration builds on our relationship and like-minded objectives.”
As part of the agreement to jointly develop electric vehicles, Honda will incorporate GM’s OnStar safety and security services into the two EVs, seamlessly integrating them with HondaLink. Additionally, Honda plans to make GM’s hands-free advanced driver-assist technology available.
