Hyundai Motor Company and General Motors have announced the next big step in their growing alliance: the co-development of five all-new vehicles, building on their framework agreement signed in September 2024
The partnership
Production of these models is scheduled to begin in 2028, with combined annual sales projected to exceed 800,000 units once fully ramped up. GM will lead the development of the mid-size truck platform, while Hyundai will spearhead work on the compact vehicles and the electric van. Both companies will share platforms but design unique interiors and exteriors to reflect their own brand identities.
“Hyundai’s strategic collaboration with GM will help us continue to deliver value and choice to our customers across multiple vehicle segments and markets,” said José Muñoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “Our combined scale in North and South America helps us to more efficiently provide our customers with more of what they want – beautifully designed, high-quality, safety-focused vehicles with technology they appreciate.”
Shilpan Amin, GM senior VP and global chief procurement and supply chain officer, added, “By partnering together, GM and Hyundai will bring more choice to our customers faster, and at lower cost. These first co-developed vehicles clearly demonstrate how GM and Hyundai will leverage our complementary strengths and combined scale. No matter the badge, everything we build will carry the stamp of both GM and Hyundai.”
Why GM is partnering with Hyundai: manufacturing
Amin spoke separately on the development. He noted that the partnership is not only about the five new vehicles but also about how both companies design, source and manufacture.
By teaming up, GM aims to reduce costs, streamline manufacturing and bring new models to market faster. Joint efforts in sourcing and logistics are expected to boost efficiency, deliver savings and create opportunities to scale further across raw materials and complex systems. The companies are also exploring future propulsion technologies, including fuel cells.
“General Motors and Hyundai together make more vehicles than any other single auto maker in the world,” explained Amin. “Between us, we run nearly two dozen assembly plants, building cars, trucks and SUVs spread across key markets worldwide. And we’re both in the top 50 for US patents – a clear sign that innovation drives what we do.”
The first of these vehicles are scheduled to roll out in 2028; GM has said it expects production to reach more than 800,000 vehicles a year.
“By joining forces with Hyundai, we can broaden our line-up while making our R&D, logistics, design and manufacturing teams even more effective. Put simply: together, we’re more than the sum of our parts,” Amin concluded.
When GM CEO Mary Barra signed the agreement with Hyundai a year ago, she said, “GM and Hyundai have complementary strengths and talented teams. Our goal is to unlock the scale and creativity of both companies to deliver even more competitive vehicles to customers faster and more efficiently.”
