Hyundai and Canoo are developing a new platform
They will jointly create an electric platform based on Canoo’s own design.
Hyundai Motor Group and Canoo announced today that Hyundai hired Canoo to jointly develop an EV platform based on Canoo’s own skateboard design for future Hyundai models.
As part of the collaboration, Canoo will provide engineering services to help develop a fully scalable all-electric platform that meets Hyundai's specifications. Hyundai Motor Group expects the platform to ease its commitment to deliver cost-competitive electric vehicles – from small electric vehicles to purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) – that meet a variety of customer needs.
Canoo, a Los Angeles-based company that builds subscription-only electric vehicles, offers a skateboard platform that houses the car's most important components with a focus on functional integration, meaning all components perform as many functions as possible. This architecture reduces the size, weight and overall number of platforms, ultimately allowing for more interior cabin space and a more affordable supply of electric vehicles. In addition, the Canoo skateboard is a standalone unit that can be combined with any coupe design.
Hyundai Motor Group expects an adaptive all-electric platform using the Canoo skateboard architecture, which will simplify and standardize the development process for Hyundai electric vehicles, which is expected to help reduce costs. Hyundai Motor Group also plans to reduce the complexity of its production line for electric vehicles, which will quickly respond to changing market requirements and customer preferences.
Through this collaboration, the Hyundai Motor Group has doubled its recent commitment to invest $ 87 billion over the next five years to spur future growth. As part of this campaign, Hyundai plans to invest $ 52 billion in future technologies by 2025, aiming for alternative fuel vehicles to account for 25% of total sales by 2025.
Hyundai recently announced plans to develop an all-electric PBV. Hyundai unveiled its first PBV concept as the basis for its CES 2020 smart mobile solution strategy in January.
“We have been very impressed with the speed and efficiency with which Canoo has developed their innovative EV architecture, making them the perfect partner for us as we strive to become a leader in the future mobility industry,” said Albert Biermann, Head of Research and Development. at Hyundai Motor Group. “We will work with Canoo engineers to develop a cost-effective Hyundai platform concept that is autonomously ready and ready for mainstream use.”
“We are working hard to develop a new platform and partner with a global leader like Hyundai as a milestone for our young company,” said Ulrich Krantz, CEO of Canoo. “We are honored to help Hyundai explore EV architecture concepts for its future models.”
Canoo unveiled its first electric car to subscribe September 24, 2019, just 19 months after founding the company in December 2017. Canoo's proprietary skateboard architecture, which houses batteries and an electric drive, allowed Canoo to rethink the EV's design to challenge the traditional form of the car and functionality.
Canoo reached the beta stage within 19 months of its inception, and the company recently opened a waiting list for its first car. This is a highlight for the company and the culmination of the efforts of more than 300 experts working to present evidence of Canoo's architectural systems concept. The first Canoo car will be released in 2021 and is designed for a world in which transport is becoming increasingly electric, collaborative and autonomous.
