DETROIT and TORRANCE, Calif., April
2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors and Honda have agreed
to jointly develop two all-new electric vehicles for Honda, based
on GM's highly flexible global EV platform powered by proprietary
Ultium batteries. The exteriors and interiors of the new EVs will
be exclusively designed by Honda, and the platform will be
engineered to support Honda's driving character.
Production of these Honda electric vehicles will combine the
development expertise of both companies, and they 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.
GM and Honda have an ongoing relationship around
electrification. This 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.
"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.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) is a global company
committed to delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for
people to get around. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its
joint venture entities sell vehicles under
the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Holden, Baojun, and
Wuling brands. More information on the company and its
subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle
safety and security services, and Maven, its personal mobility
brand, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC), Honda designs,
manufactures and markets automobiles, motorcycles, power products
and aviation products worldwide. A global leader in powertrain and
electromotive technologies, Honda produces nearly 28 million
engines annually for its three product lines. Honda and its
partners build products in more than 60 manufacturing plants in 27
countries, employing more than 208,000 associates globally.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This
press release contains forward-looking statements that represent
GM's current judgment about possible future events. In making these
statements GM relies on assumptions and analysis based on
management's experience and perception of historical trends,
current conditions and expected future developments as well as
other factors GM considers appropriate under the circumstances. GM
believes these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are
not guarantees of any events or financial results, and GM's actual
results may differ materially due to a variety of important
factors, both positive and negative. A list and description of
these factors can be found in GM's Annual Report on Form 10-K and
its subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. GM cautions readers not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. GM undertakes no obligation to update
publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or other
factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where
GM is expressly required to do so by law.
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-motors-and-honda-to-jointly-develop-next-generation-honda-electric-vehicles-powered-by-gms-ultium-batteries-301034403.html
SOURCE General Motors Co.