Honda, GM to co-develop affordable EV using next-gen Ultium battery

Honda and General Motors have announced their joint plan of co-developing a series of affordable electric vehicles that will utilize the technology found in the next-generation Ultium battery.

In a statement, GM said that the companies are working together to enable global production of millions of EVs starting in 2027, including compact crossover vehicles, leveraging the two companies’ technology, design and sourcing strategies.

Aside from that, GM and Honda will also work toward standardizing equipment and processes to achieve world-class quality, higher throughput and greater affordability.

Further, the automakers will discuss future EV battery technology collaboration opportunities to further reduce 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,” GM Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mary Barra was quoted as saying.

“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 US 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.

For Honda’s part, company president and CEO Toshihiro Mibe said that the Japanese marque is committed to reaching its carbon neutrality target "on a global basis by 2050.” “Honda and GM will build on our successful technology collaboration to help achieve a dramatic expansion in the sales of electric vehicles,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Honda Senior Managing Executive Officer Shinji Aoyama said that the progress the firm made with GM “demonstrated the win-win relationship that can create new value for our 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.”

GM Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain Executive Vice President Doug Parks said that the collaboration with Honda and the continuing development of Ultium are the foundation of the project. 

“Our plans include a new all-electric product for North America positioned at a price point lower than the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV, building on the two million units of EV capacity the company plans to install by the end of 2025,” Parks added.

Photos from General Motors

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