Commentary & Voices
Honda joins GM & Cruise in Self-Driving Vehicle Program
Wednesday October 3, 2018
Article Highlights
- “The combined forces of General Motors and Honda, already working on fuel cells, with GM’s Cruise Automation to build autonomous vehicles marks a significant milestone in moving self-driving closer to reality,” said Michelle Krebs, Executive Analyst, Autotrader
- “The future of transportation belongs to today’s automakers,” said Brian Moody, Executive Editor, Autotrader. “All the talk of tech companies stealing transportation is nonsense. Today’s automakers have the scale, knowledge and R&D dollars, plus they know how to manage a broad network of suppliers and can work with policy officials to get things done.”
- “Though the development of autonomous vehicles is still in its infancy, this reaffirms the industry’s strategic commitment to the future,” said Zo Rahim, Research Manager, Cox Automotive. “Autonomous vehicles are not simply a Silicon Valley-based dream. Current auto manufacturers are primed to dictate the direction and growth of the future of mass mobility.”
Today General Motors and Cruise, its self-driving car division, announced plans to work with Honda to develop and manufacture purpose-built autonomous vehicles. While no specific timeline for an on-the-road vehicle was provided, the partnership should prove to be a force in the pursuit of the future of mobility.
Michelle Krebs, Brian Moody and Zohaib Rahim weigh in on this development and what it means for automakers and their play in the mobility space.
Michelle Krebs, Executive Analyst, Autotrader
The combined forces of General Motors and Honda, already working on fuel cells, with GM’s Cruise Automation to build autonomous vehicles marks a significant milestone in moving self-driving closer to reality. It also demonstrates that global partnerships like these – Detroit, Silicon Valley and Japan – are necessary to take on these expensive ventures that likely will not return a profit in the near-term. It also opens the possibility of obtaining financing, as already has been demonstrated with SoftBank’s investment, that traditional auto making operations cannot tap.
Brian Moody, Executive Editor, Autotrader
The future of transportation belongs to today’s automakers. All the talk of tech companies stealing transportation is nonsense. Today’s automakers have the scale, knowledge and R&D dollars, plus they know how to manage a broad network of suppliers and can work with policy officials to get things done. This Honda / GM partnership holds the potential of two top global brands working together. And let’s be honest, the future isn’t going to be brand agnostic: The name “Honda” or “Chevrolet” will still be important to many.
Zo Rahim, Research Manager, Cox Automotive
Though the development of autonomous vehicles is still in its infancy, this reaffirms the industry’s strategic commitment to the future. Autonomous vehicles are not simply a Silicon Valley-based dream. Current auto manufacturers are primed to dictate the direction and growth of the future of mass mobility. The collective power of General Motors, Honda, with investments from Softbank, create a great opportunity for Cruise to move beyond its current capabilities.