Hyundai and General Motors team up to produce five new vehicles
General Motors and Hyundai Partner to Expand Electric Vehicle Offerings
General Motors (GM) and Hyundai Motor have announced a new partnership that will see the two companies collaborate on various new-energy projects, including the co-development of five vehicles in the Americas.
The partnership includes joint production of powertrains and platforms, investments in raw materials, and a focus on emerging battery- and hydrogen-power mobility and distribution. The first co-developed vehicles under this partnership are expected to demonstrate how GM and Hyundai will leverage their complementary strengths and combined scale.
GM is set to release the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt, a compact affordable electric vehicle, in late 2025 as a 2026 model year. The production will shift to the Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas, aiming to keep the Bolt’s base price under $30,000, emphasizing affordability in the EV segment. GM is also expanding its electric SUV lineup with the Cadillac Escalade IQL, an all-electric version arriving in 2026, offering a larger third row, more cargo space, and available in both standard and extended-wheelbase variants with gas or electric powertrains.
Hyundai Motor's specific vehicle release timeline or models were not explicitly detailed in the available search results. However, it is common for Hyundai to advance in electrification and SUV/crossover segments in both North and South America.
In terms of vehicle focus by segment and powertrain, GM's Chevrolet Bolt targets the affordable subcompact electric segment, focusing on an all-electric powertrain to provide entry-level EV access in the U.S. market. The Cadillac Escalade IQL targets the luxury SUV segment, offering both electric and gasoline powertrain options, emphasizing premium features, passenger space, and advanced technology such as hands-free driving and augmented reality.
The electric commercial van will be Hyundai's foray into the North American commercial-vehicles market. Hyundai will oversee the development of the compact car and electric van in the partnership. The companies aim to sell more than 800,000 of the new vehicles each year once production is fully scaled.
Four of the vehicles will be designed for the South and Central American markets, including a compact SUV, a car, and a midsize pickup truck. Hyundai aims to break through in the North American market with alternative-powertrain vehicles.
The partnership between GM and Hyundai aims to bring more choice to customers faster and at lower cost, according to Shilpan Amin, GM senior vice president and global chief procurement and supply chain officer. Hyundai Motor Company's president and CEO, José Muñoz, stated that the partnership will help deliver value and choice to customers across multiple vehicle segments and markets.
It is worth noting that the segment of electric commercial vans hasn't been bountiful for any player, particularly for GM. GM's BrightDrop van has been affected by high supply and low demand, causing production pauses and a shift from two to one at the Ingersoll, ON, Canada plant. Ford, on the other hand, has the most market share in the U.S. commercial sector among the Detroit Three.
In summary, the partnership between GM and Hyundai will see the two companies collaborate on various new-energy projects, joint production, and the co-development of five vehicles in the Americas. GM is set to release the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt and Cadillac Escalade IQL, while Hyundai is expected to enter the North American commercial-vehicles market with an electric van. The partnership aims to bring more choice to customers faster and at lower cost, delivering value and choice to customers across multiple vehicle segments and markets.
| Manufacturer | Vehicle Model | Expected Release | Region | Segment | Powertrain Focus | |------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|----------------------|----------------------------| | General Motors | Next-gen Chevrolet Bolt | Late 2025 / 2026 model | North America | Affordable subcompact EV | All-electric | | General Motors | Cadillac Escalade IQL | 2026 | North America | Luxury SUV | EV and Gasoline options | | Hyundai Motor | No explicit info found | — | — | — | — | | Hyundai Motor | Electric Commercial Van | 2028 (est.) | North America | Commercial Vehicle | All-electric | | Hyundai Motor (South America) | Compact SUV, Car, Midsize Pickup Truck | 2028 (est.) | South America | SUV, Car, Pickup Truck | All-electric and Gasoline |
- The partnership between General Motors (GM) and Hyundai Motor will also involve collaborating on various aspects of the supply chain, including joint production of powertrains and platforms, and investments in raw materials.
- This collaboration is expected to expand in the automotive industry, influencing not only the production of electric vehicles (EVs) but also the SUV/crossover segment.
- Finance-wise, the companies aim to sell more than 800,000 of the new vehicles each year once production is fully scaled, targeting customers across multiple segments and markets.
- The partnership between GM and Hyundai will extend to transportation, with General Motors planning to release the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt, focusing on affordability in the EV segment, and Hyundai entering the North American commercial-vehicles market with an electric van.