Hyundai Motor Company and General Motors have detailed the first vehicles to emerge from their strategic collaboration, expanding electric and hybrid offerings across the Americas.
Electric Commercial Van for North America
The most significant EV development from the announcement is an electric commercial van slated for the North American market. The model will be co-developed by Hyundai and GM, with Hyundai taking the lead on design and engineering. Production is targeted to begin in the U.S. as early as 2028.
The electric van will share a common platform with other co-developed vehicles but feature a unique exterior and interior design consistent with Hyundai’s brand identity. It is part of a broader effort by both automakers to address demand for zero-emission commercial vehicles.
Flexible Propulsion Across Regional Models
In addition to the van, the companies will co-develop four vehicles for Central and South America: a compact SUV, compact car, compact pickup, and mid-size pickup. All will be engineered to accommodate either internal combustion or hybrid propulsion, providing a flexible pathway toward increased electrification in markets where charging infrastructure is still developing.
GM will lead development of the mid-size truck platform, while Hyundai will guide the compact vehicle and EV van projects.
When fully scaled, combined sales of the co-developed vehicles are expected to exceed 800,000 units annually.
Collaboration on Sustainability and Supply
The automakers also plan joint sourcing initiatives for materials, transportation, and logistics, and will explore cooperation on low-carbon steel production to reduce manufacturing emissions. Future collaboration could extend to propulsion technologies beyond hybrids and battery-electric, including hydrogen fuel cells.
The framework agreement, signed in September 2024, leaves the door open for additional jointly developed EVs and global electrification projects.