GM and Hyundai Confirm Five New Co-Developed Vehicles

After months of speculation, General Motors and Hyundai have officially confirmed a groundbreaking collaboration that will see the co-development of five new vehicles, with most destined for Central and South American markets. This strategic alliance marks a significant move by two global automotive giants, aiming to share development costs, streamline manufacturing, and accelerate vehicle rollouts across multiple segments.

While the focus is primarily on Latin America, the partnership also includes one model earmarked for North America: an electric commercial van expected to hit the market around 2028.

Key Takeaways From the GM and Hyundai Announcement

• Five co-developed vehicles confirmed, including a compact car, compact crossover, compact truck, and a mid-size pickup
• Only one model (electric van) targeted for the North American market
• All models will support internal combustion and hybrid powertrains
• Hyundai to lead development for most models; GM will lead the mid-size pickup
• Commercial van to be manufactured in America
• Target: Over 800,000 units sold annually
• Companies plan joint sourcing initiatives for materials and logistics

A Strategic Alliance Built on Scale and Speed

The new partnership is not merely about co-producing vehicles—it represents a deep operational alignment between two of the world’s most powerful automakers. According to Hyundai CEO José Muñoz, this collaboration will allow both companies to deliver “beautifully designed, high-quality, safety-focused vehicles with technology customers appreciate.”

On GM’s side, Shilpan Amin, Senior Vice President, emphasized that teaming up will help both brands bring more choices to customers faster and at lower cost. In his words, this is about “leveraging complementary strengths and combined scale.”

For both companies, this partnership is a calculated response to the challenges of modern automotive manufacturing: rising development costs, logistical complexities, and the global shift toward electrification and efficiency.

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A Closer Look at the Co-Developed Models

While specific details remain under wraps, GM and Hyundai have confirmed the segments targeted:

• Compact Car
• Compact Crossover
• Compact Pickup Truck
• Mid-Size Pickup Truck (led by GM)
• Electric Commercial Van (only model confirmed for North America)

These vehicles will be designed with flexible powertrains, allowing either internal combustion engines or hybrid systems, depending on the target market’s needs and regulations.

Importantly, though the core engineering will be shared, each brand will maintain distinct styling, both inside and out. This ensures that Chevrolet, GMC, Hyundai, and Kia customers receive products aligned with their brand expectations.

Electric Van: A New Direction for GM’s Commercial Strategy

Perhaps the most revealing part of the announcement is GM’s commitment to launching an electric commercial van, described as a “smaller sibling” to the current BrightDrop lineup.

GM had once pinned high hopes on BrightDrop, its EV delivery brand, but its performance failed to meet expectations. The new partnership allows GM to re-enter this space more efficiently by tapping into Hyundai’s EV platforms, such as those used in the Hyundai ST1 and Kia PV5.

Manufactured in the United States and planned for release around 2028, this model could serve as the spiritual successor to the discontinued Chevrolet City Express, which was previously based on the Nissan NV200. That earlier venture ended due to low demand—something GM hopes to overcome this time with Hyundai’s help.

Long-Term Goals and Market Impact

If the plan proceeds as expected, GM and Hyundai aim to sell more than 800,000 co-developed units annually. These figures underscore the ambitious scale of the project and its importance for both manufacturers, especially in emerging markets where affordability and reliability drive consumer decisions.

Beyond vehicles, the partnership includes joint sourcing efforts for materials, logistics, low-carbon steel, raw components, and complex systems. This broader collaboration aims to reduce operational redundancies and optimize supply chain resilience, particularly across the North and South American continents.

Specifications Overview (Confirmed Information)

A New Chapter in Automotive Collaboration

This partnership signals a strategic pivot for both General Motors and Hyundai, particularly in how platform sharing and regional specialization are becoming essential in the evolving global automotive landscape.

Rather than duplicating efforts, this alliance demonstrates how cross-brand collaboration can deliver better value, increased efficiency, and quicker time to market—all while respecting the unique identity of each automaker.

As we approach 2028, all eyes will be on how GM and Hyundai execute on these ambitious plans, especially in commercial EVs, a space that’s rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive.