General Motors and Honda are taking their collaboration to a new level by co-developing a series of affordable electric vehicles based on a new global architecture, targeting popular vehicular segments in global markets, using GM's next-generation 'Ultium' battery technology.
The companies have announced that they are working together to enable the global production of millions of EVs starting in 2027, including compact crossover vehicles, leveraging each other's technology, design, and sourcing strategies. They will also work toward standardizing equipment and processes to achieve world-class quality, higher throughput, and greater affordability.
Moreover, GM and Honda will also discuss future EV battery technology collaboration opportunities, to further drive down the cost of electrification, improve performance and drive sustainability for future vehicles.
"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," said Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO.
"This is a key step to deliver on our commitment to achieve carbon neutrality in our global products and operations by 2040 and eliminate tailpipe emissions from light-duty vehicles in the U.S. by 2035. By working together, we'll put people all over the world into EVs faster than either company could achieve on its own", she added.
GM is already working to accelerate new technologies like lithium-metal, silicon, and solid-state batteries, along with production methods that can quickly be used to improve and update battery cell manufacturing processes.
Honda, on the other hand, is making progress on its all-solid-state battery technology which the company sees as the core element of future EVs. The company has established a demonstration line in Japan for all-solid-state batteries and is making further progress toward mass production.
"Honda is committed to reaching our goal of carbon neutrality on a global basis by 2050, which requires driving down the cost of electric vehicles to make EV ownership possible for the greatest number of customers," said Toshihiro Mibe, Honda president and CEO. "Honda and GM will build on our successful technology collaboration to help achieve a dramatic expansion in the sales of electric vehicles."
GM and Honda have developed a close working relationship over many years, including several projects in recent years focused on electric and autonomous vehicle technologies. In 2013, the two companies began working together on the co-development of a next-generation fuel cell system and hydrogen storage technologies.
In 2018, Honda joined GM's EV battery module development efforts. In 2020, GM and Honda announced plans to codevelop two EVs, including the Honda Prologue, to be launched in early 2024, soon followed by Acura's first EV SUV.
Further, the companies have an ongoing relationship with self-driving vehicle developer Cruise and are working together on the development of the Cruise Origin, one of the first purpose-built fully autonomous vehicles designed for driverless ride-hail and delivery.
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