According to sources and documents reviewed by Reuters, Hyundai and General Motors are close to finalizing a deal. The agreement would involve Hyundai supplying two electric commercial van models to GM, while GM could potentially provide Hyundai access to pickup trucks for the North American market.
This potential partnership, which has not yet been finalized, could be the start of a wider collaboration between the two automakers. The documents also suggest Hyundai and GM are exploring collaborations beyond vehicle sharing, including joint purchasing, and the joint development of computing chips, next-generation batteries, and battery materials.
Hundai plans to manufacture electric vans under both its and GM’s brands. The vans would initially be imported from South Korea before potentially shifting production to North America by 2028. Hyundai is considering options such as building a new plant, expanding an existing facility, or outsourcing manufacturing.
On the pickup side, Hyundai would like to sell a version of GM’s midsize trucks, specifically the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. While Hyundai also hopes to gain access to GM’s full-sized pickups, GM has not yet agreed. Finalization of any pickup-sharing arrangement is expected to take longer than the van agreement.
The discussions also include Hyundai possibly supplying GM with compact SUVs for the Brazilian market, expanding the scope of cooperation between the automakers. The potential agreement comes as both Hyundai and GM face mounting competition from Chinese EV manufacturers and the possibility of increased trade restrictions. Tariff concerns have added uncertainty to the negotiations, as automakers evaluate their reliance on imported components and the need to expand U.S. production.
For GM, partnering with Hyundai could bolster its competitiveness in the commercial van sector as it phases out its aging Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana models. Meanwhile, Hyundai is looking to strengthen its foothold in the U.S. truck and commercial vehicle market, where it presently has a limited presence.
If finalized, Hyundai’s smaller electric van would be produced in Ulsan, South Korea, with potential deliveries to GM starting in mid-2027. A larger electric van, comparable in size to Hyundai’s Solati, would follow in 2028. A proposed North American van plant could eventually reach 60,000 units annually by 2030, with more than 100,000 by 2032.
Both companies have acknowledged ongoing discussions but have not provided specific details. GM stated that it continues to explore potential collaborations with Hyundai, while Hyundai described the talks as covering “key strategic areas.”
