GM (NYSE:GM), Cruise and Honda today announced a memorandum of understanding to establish a new joint-venture company to launch a driverless ridehail service in Japan starting in early 2026. The so-called Origin vehicle developed by GM, Cruise and Honda will be made in the US. GM will manufacture ~500 Origins for the launch of this new JV at Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly in Michigan, said to be the launchpad for GM’s multi-brand EV and AV future.

“GM has always been invested in defining the future of transportation and that’s more true today than ever,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “The benefits of AVs – from safety to accessibility – are too profound to ignore and through this important partnership with Cruise and Honda, we’re bringing forward innovation that leverages our expertise in cutting-edge software and hardware to help more people around the world get where they need to go.”