Honda and General Motors may expand their cooperation on green cars, according to a report in the Japanese media.
In 2013 the two automakers signed a partnership to develop hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains, which remains in effect until at least 2020.
Now, it appears they may collaborate on plug-in hybrids as well.
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The two companies "have entered final negotiations" on an expanded partnership that would include plug-in hybrid development, reports The Yomiuri Shimbun (via Charged EVs).
At the moment, each maker uses its own two-motor hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology--and the two are differently arranged inside, with Honda's system nesting one motor inside the other, while GM's connects two separate motors with planetary gears.
A goal of the partnership is to lower production costs by jointly negotiating with suppliers, and to pool resources to better compete with other carmakers, the report said.
![2016 Cadillac CT6 2016 Cadillac CT6](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2016-cadillac-ct6_100506226_l.jpg)
2016 Cadillac CT6
Honda and GM also reportedly expect collaboration to shorten development times of plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The Japanese firm expects to gain insight from GM, which it views as more experienced in the field. And GM expects the partnership to give it a competitive advantage over other automakers in the plug-in hybrid segment.
It plans to launch its Cadillac CT6 plug-in hybrid luxury sedan before the end of this year, using an adaptation of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt powertrain that is also used without a plug in the 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid.
MORE: Honda Clarity On Sale Late In 2016; Plug-In Hybrid To Get 40 Miles Of Range (Nov 2015)
Honda, meanwhile, is developing a dedicated plug-in hybrid model that may reach a larger audience.
After retiring the low-volume Accord Plug-In Hybrid, the company committed to launching a new model on a dedicated platform in 2018.
It has withdrawn the conventional hybrid version of its Honda Accord from the U.S. for a year; it is expected to relaunch for 2017 with an updated and even more efficient version of Honda's two-motor hybrid system.
![2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2014-honda-accord-hybrid_100400677_l.jpg)
2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid
Honda's plug-in hybrid will use the same platform as that used by the 2017 Clarity Fuel Cell. It's possible the plug-in hybrid will simply be another variant of that model.
Honda has said the new plug-in hybrid will have "more than triple" the Accord's electric driving range of 13 miles, which would mean a range of at least 39 miles on battery power.
Honda also claims the new two-motor hybrid system will offer more usable high-speed operation than the Accord plug-in, which had a top speed of 80 mph in electric mode.
The Honda plug-in hybrid may also share its platform with a battery-electric model, also slated to launch in 2018.
Honda hasn't discussed this electric car since announcing it almost a year ago, but it is thought that it will share the Clarity platform as well.
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