Honda, GM expand partnership to include sharing of vehicle platforms

General Motors (GM) and Honda have announced an expansion of the partnership between the two brands in the North American market. While the two were already collaborating on introducing two new all-electric vehicles, they will now also share platforms and internal combustion engines and work together on R&D and technology.

• Honda and GM expand partnership significantly
• To share platforms, engines and electrified powertrains
• Partnership unlikely to affect India

The first model from this new alliance is still a while away as engineering work will begin in early 2021. Neither company has stated which models will be shared, though the MoU signed states that they will collaborate on a variety of segments.

Honda and GM also plan to share research and development, and engineering costs for select future co-developed vehicles and propulsion platforms. The latter includes internal combustion engines, hybrid systems and all-electric units. Both brands have also agreed on joint sourcing of materials, logistics and localisation strategies.

Back in April, Honda had already agreed to incorporate GM’s OnStar safety, security and connected services into the previously mentioned two all-new Honda EVs. This new agreement will see them explore more co-development opportunities for future connected services.

While this development has major ramifications for the North American market, we in India won’t really feel the effects of this, at least not in the near future. GM exited the Indian market in 2017, and the partnership with Honda is focused on building models for various segments of the North American market.