Honda started developing its Prologue EV in 2020, which became an even more challenging project during the spread of COVID-19. The Japanese brand had agreed on a partnership with the American legacy automakers at General Motors, and face-to-face meetings were off the table. For the entire first year, the two companies met virtually, using video, virtual reality, and computer graphics to develop the vehicle together while halfway around the world from each other.
The fruit of this collaboration led to the Honda Prologue, the automaker’s first all-electric SUV, which arrives in dealerships next month. It’s built on GM’s Ultium battery-electric platform, also used for the GMC Hummer EV (pickup and SUV), Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and BrightDrop Zevo 600 (GM’s electric delivery van).
In January, Honda announced its all-EV “0 Series,” launching in 2026. The brand showcased two concept models, Saloon and Space-Hub, at CES 2024. In 2026, Honda will introduce a model of the Honda 0 Series based on the Saloon concept in North America. In the meantime, Honda recognized that teaming up with GM and its battery base could ramp up the progress on its first EV, getting it to market that much faster.
“We delivered exactly what we wanted: speedy development, a proven platform, and that way we got something we could quickly execute,” says the Honda Prologue chief engineer John Hwang.
Blending two different company cultures
GM provided the frame, suspension, chassis, powertrain, and electrical architecture, coupled with 10 battery modules. Honda’s responsibility was what the industry calls “top hat” development–everything you see above the chassis both outside and inside. The Prologue was designed in Honda’s California studio and required the integration of GM components that attach to their floor.
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