General Motors (GM) Powers Up EV Strategy Through Hyundai Alliance & China Battery Sourcing

General Motors has been quietly transforming its electric-vehicle strategy over the past few months, and the latest moves suggest the century-old automaker is more serious about EVs than ever. In early August, GM shocked the industry by announcing a temporary import of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries from China’s CATL, despite steep Trump-era tariffs, to power its next-generation Chevy Bolt. Simultaneously, GM doubled down on joint ventures: teaming with Hyundai to codevelop five new hybrid and electric models slated for launch by 2028, and expanding its Ultium Cells partnerships with LG to bring domestic LFP and advanced lithium-manganese-rich chemistries on-line by 2027. Behind the scenes, CEO Mary Barra emphasized investments in software and charging infrastructure—rolling out 350-kW and 400-kW fast chargers across major U.S. corridors and integrating Super Cruise and OnStar services into more models. These initiatives align with GM’s broader push to hedge against tariff exposure by ramping U.S. manufacturing capacity and flexible ICE/EV production. As EV adoption cools in some regions and tax credits phase out, GM’s blend of short-term stopgaps and long-term R&D bets underscores a commitment to profitability and resilience in a rapidly evolving market.