General Motors and Honda are taking their collaboration to the next level, using GM's next-generation Ultium battery technology to jointly develop a range of affordable electric vehicles based on a new architecture aimed at global markets of popular automotive segments.
The two companies announced that they will begin working together in 2027 to achieve global production of millions of electric vehicles, including compact crossovers, leveraging each other's technology, design and procurement strategies. They will also work to standardize equipment and processes to achieve world-class quality, higher throughput and better price/performance.
In addition, GM and Honda will discuss opportunities for future EV battery technology collaboration to further reduce electrification costs, improve performance, and drive the sustainability of future vehicles.
"General Motors and Honda will share the best of our technology, design and manufacturing strategies to deliver affordable, satisfying electric vehicles on a global scale," said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. Our key markets in North America, South America and China."
“This is a critical step in delivering on our commitment to carbon neutrality in our global products and operations by 2040 and eliminating light-duty vehicle emissions in the U.S. by 2035,” she added. The two companies alone are running a faster pace of getting the world on to electric vehicles."
GM is already working to accelerate the development of new technologies such as lithium metal, silicon and solid-state batteries, as well as production methods that can rapidly improve and update the battery manufacturing process.
Honda, on the other hand, is making progress with its all-solid-state battery technology, which the company sees as a core element of future electric vehicles. The company has already established an all-solid-state battery demonstration production line in Japan, and is moving further towards production.
Toshihiro Mibe, President and CEO of Honda, said: "Honda is committed to achieving global carbon neutrality by 2050, which requires reducing the cost of electric vehicles and making electric vehicles available to the greatest number of customers." Based on successful technical cooperation, it has helped to achieve a substantial increase in electric vehicle sales.
GM and Honda have forged a close partnership over the years, including several projects in recent years focused on electric and autonomous vehicle technology. The two companies have been jointly developing next-generation fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage technology since 2013.
In 2018, Honda joined the development of GM's battery modules for electric vehicles. In 2020, GM and Honda announced plans to jointly develop two electric vehicles, including the Honda Prologue, which will launch in early 2024, followed by Acuras' first electric SUV.
In addition, the two companies have a long-standing relationship with autonomous vehicle developer Cruise and are currently co-developing Cruise Origin, the first fully autonomous vehicles designed for driverless ride-hailing and delivery one.
