General Motors and Honda have suspended plans for a partnership to potentially create millions of affordable EVs, according to Green Car Reports.
The partnership was first announced in April 2022 but has come to an abrupt end. It first began as a 2018 battery partnership that resulted in the production of the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX: EVs which will soon be built in North America and are based on GM Ultium battery tech.
That partnership expanded last year to jointly develop a line of affordable EVs using next-generation Ultium battery tech for both automakers. The lineup was slated to roll out in 2027 and was to be comprised of multiple compact segments, including a crossover.
The end of the partnership was first referenced in a GM quarterly investor call this past Monday, where it was disclosed that there will be delays for the Chevy Equinox EV and electric pickups. GM CEO Mary Barra said that previous portfolio plans included many newly designed vehicles in the entry-level segments and a capital commitment of $5 billion for the next several years.
In a statement provided to Green Car Reports, GM said its focus for the next two years will surround scaling the Ultium Platform and battery cell capacity, growing a domestic EV supply chain, and providing a portfolio of EVs across different categories.
“Last year, we began working on an affordable EV program for global markets, which was slated for introduction in 2027. After extensive studies and analysis, we have come to a mutual decision to discontinue the program,” GM said in its statement.
