According to sources and documents reviewed by Reuters, Hyundai and General Motors are finalizing an agreement to see Hyundai supply two electric commercial van models to GM, while GM could provide Hyundai with pickup trucks for the North American market.
The agreement, which has yet to be finalized, could mark the beginning of a broader partnership between the two automakers. The documents indicate that Hyundai and GM are exploring collaborations beyond vehicle sharing, including joint purchasing and developing computing chips, next-generation batteries, and battery materials.
Hyundai plans to manufacture electric vans under both its own and GM’s brands, initially importing them from South Korea before potentially shifting production to North America by 2028. The company is evaluating options such as building a new plant, expanding an existing facility, or outsourcing manufacturing.
On the pickup side, Hyundai wants to sell a version of GM’s midsize trucks, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. While Hyundai also wants access to GM’s full-sized pickups, GM has yet to agree to that aspect of the deal. Any pickup-sharing arrangement will take longer to finalize than the van agreement.
The talks also include Hyundai possibly providing GM with compact SUVs for the Brazilian market, further expanding the scope of cooperation between the automakers.
The potential deal comes as both Hyundai and GM face intensifying competition from Chinese EV makers and the possibility of increased trade restrictions under the Trump administration. Tariff concerns have added uncertainty to the discussions, sources say, as automakers weigh their reliance on imported components and the need to expand U.S. production.
For GM, partnering with Hyundai could help it remain competitive 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 markets, where it currently lacks a strong presence.
If finalized, Hyundai’s smaller electric van would be produced in Ulsan, South Korea, with potential deliveries to GM beginning in mid-2027. A larger electric van, similar in size to Hyundai’s Solati, would follow in 2028. A proposed North American van plant could reach 60,000 units annually by 2030 and over 100,000 by 2032.
Both companies have acknowledged ongoing discussions but have not confirmed specific details. GM stated that it continues to explore potential collaborations with Hyundai, while Hyundai described the talks as covering “key strategic areas.”
