Summary
- GM considering selling Hyundai commercial electric vehicles under its own brand in the U.S.
- Hyundai CFO mentioned a deal to pave the way for entry into the North American commercial vehicle market
- Hyundai signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with GM last year for an EV and fuel-cell partnership
- Hyundai has not attempted to enter the U.S. commercial vehicle market under its own banner previously
- GM already has electric vans under the BrightDrop brand, but hasn’t shown interest in developing new commercial vehicles recently
Article
General Motors is considering selling commercial electric vehicles made by Hyundai under one of its own brands in the U.S. This potential partnership could see Hyundai supplying GM with its commercial EVs, leading to Hyundai’s entry into the North American commercial vehicle market. The two automakers signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding last year to explore an EV and fuel-cell partnership, and are now looking to sign binding contracts on parts procurement and collaboration on passenger cars and commercial vehicles within the first quarter of this year.
Hyundai currently sells commercial vehicles such as buses and heavy-duty trucks in other markets, but has not ventured into the U.S. market under its own branding. The South Korean automaker is planning to bring a small fleet of Xcient Fuel Cell Class 8 semi trucks to California for testing. It remains to be seen which Hyundai commercial EV models GM would choose to sell in the U.S., as GM already has its own electric vans that were previously marketed under the BrightDrop brand but have now been incorporated into Chevrolet.
GM has not shown much interest in developing new commercial vehicles in recent years, with the exception of the BrightDrop vans which are based on the same Ultium component set used for GM’s current electric cars and trucks. The automaker even previously sold a rebadged Nissan NV200, known as the Chevrolet City Express, but neither GM nor Nissan brought the electric version of the NV200 to the U.S. market. The potential partnership with Hyundai could provide GM with a new line of electric commercial vehicles while allowing Hyundai to expand its presence in the North American market.
The collaboration between GM and Hyundai could be a significant step in accelerating the shift towards electric vehicles in the commercial sector. With the increasing focus on sustainability and emissions reduction, the demand for electric commercial vehicles is expected to grow in the coming years. By offering a range of electric options through this partnership, both automakers stand to benefit from tapping into this emerging market and meeting the evolving needs of businesses and consumers in the U.S.
The introduction of Hyundai’s commercial EVs to the North American market could provide customers with more choices and drive competition in the electric vehicle segment. This partnership may also pave the way for further joint ventures and collaborations between automakers looking to expand their electric vehicle offerings. As the automotive industry continues to evolve towards electrification, strategic partnerships like this one could play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation and driving innovation in the commercial vehicle sector.
Overall, the potential agreement between GM and Hyundai to sell commercial electric vehicles in the U.S. signifies a significant opportunity for both companies to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions. By leveraging each other’s strengths and resources, GM and Hyundai could establish a strong foothold in the North American commercial vehicle market and contribute to the advancement of electric mobility. As the automotive industry continues to transition towards electrification, partnerships and collaborations like this are likely to play a key role in driving progress and shaping the future of transportation.
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