GM and Hyundai Explore Electric Van Partnership
General Motors (GM) and Hyundai are discussing a potential agreement that would bring Hyundai’s electric commercial vehicles to North America under GM branding. According to Reuters, Hyundai’s Chief Financial Officer, Lee Seung Jo, mentioned on an analyst call that they are ‘considering re-badging our commercial EVs and supplying GM.’ This move could mark Hyundai’s entry into the North American commercial vehicle market.
The partnership would be part of a growing trend of van consolidation in the industry. Other examples include Ford and Volkswagen collaborating on van production in Europe, and Stellantis manufacturing vans for Toyota. If the deal goes through, it would be a significant development in the commercial van sector.
One of the vehicles that could be rebadged is Hyundai’s ST1 electric van. The ST1 is based on the Hyundai Staria, a modern and versatile van that is popular in other markets. The ST1 is designed as a chassis cab, allowing for various cargo configurations, including traditional vans, refrigerated units, flatbeds, and dump beds. It has a 215-horsepower electric motor driving the front wheels and a 76.1 kWh battery pack, offering a range of 185-197 miles under the WLTP cycle.
The ST1 is not a compact van; it measures 221.5 inches in length and 79.3 inches in width, similar to a standard wheelbase Chevrolet Express. It has a two-inch longer wheelbase and a six-inch taller roofline compared to the Express. The van’s 800-volt architecture supports fast charging at up to 350 kW DC.
This potential partnership raises questions about GM’s strategy for its own electric van development. GM has been working on its BrightDrop electric vans, but the scaling has been slow. Outsourcing a potential replacement for the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana to Hyundai could be a cost-effective and timely solution.
The Hyundai ST1 has already been rebadged for other markets; Italian brand Iveco sells it as the eMoovy in Europe. If GM adopts the ST1, it could bring a unique and modern electric van to the North American market.
While details are still speculative, this potential collaboration between GM and Hyundai could have significant implications for the commercial van market in North America. It may also open the door for other Hyundai commercial vehicles to enter the region.
