Honda Calls on GM to Develop Two New EVs
Many are disappointed that the Honda CR-V Hybrid is not available in Canada or that the Honda e electric city car will stay in Europe and Japan, but as they say, good things come to those who wait.
The automaker wants to offer long-range EVs that better meet the needs of North American customers. That’s why it announced on Thursday an extension of its partnership with General Motors to develop not one but two of these models.
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They will be based on GM’s highly flexible global EV platform and powered by its newly unveiled Ultium battery, the latter promising up to 645 kilometres of range.
Honda will take care of designing the exterior and interior while making sure the chassis and components work to deliver the brand’s pleasant driving dynamics.
Additionally, Honda will incorporate GM’s OnStar safety and security services and pair them with its own HondaLink system. GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving technology, currently available in select Cadillac models only, is also part of Honda’s plan.
Production will take place at GM plants in North America including possibly the Detroit-Hamtramck facility which is being retooled to produce EVs exclusively. This operation required an investment of $2.9 billion.
The two new Honda EVs are expected to arrive in late 2023 as 2024 models. More details will be revealed shortly, so stay tuned.