GM Hedges its Bets on Ultium Platform
General Motors hopes its Ultium platform, which consists of batteries, motors, software and other components, will help it grow EV market share and overtake Tesla as the No. 1 EV maker.
GM
General Motors has made massive investments in EV technology, hedging its bets that its new Ultium platform, which consists of batteries, motors, software and other components, will help grow EV market share and overtake Tesla as the No. 1 EV maker.
The automaker introduced the Ultium EV platform in March 2020 and will deliver the first vehicles built around it this year.
GM batteries are the heart of the Ultium platform. The company developed the batteries in partnership with LG Energy Solutions, a division of the Korean conglomerate LG Corp.
The batteries use a chemistry that reduces expensive and tough-to-source cobalt by 70%. GM says this will push battery pack costs below $100 per kilowatt to make them competitive with internal combustion engines.
GM’s system for managing its battery pack also differs from competitors. The Ultium platform allows GM to run battery cells with different chemistries in the same pack, so parts of the pack can be replaced as time goes on.
GM believes these innovations will make it a leader in EVs in North America by 2025.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry
Autos More Appealing
Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.
Read More →
Used EVs Defy Overall Market
While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.
Read More →
Gone to the Dogs
A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →
Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands
A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.
Read More →
Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars
At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Agent Advocate
Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.
Read More →
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →
Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past
More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.
Read More →