GM aims to develop vehicles in about two years using AI and new software
In short
General Motors said it is targeting a vehicle development time of roughly two years from concept to production, against a traditional four- to five-year cycle, using AI and new software. The company did not detail a timeline for reaching the goal. Outlets link the move to competition from Chinese automakers.
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General Motors said it is now targeting a vehicle development time of roughly two years from concept to production, versus a traditional four- to five-year cycle, CNBC reported. The company did not detail a timeline for reaching that goal. The New York Times said GM is seeking help from artificial intelligence to keep up with Chinese companies that introduce vehicles very quickly. UPI reported that GM said Wednesday it plans to use AI and new software to develop vehicles in less time to compete better with China, and its headline referred to expanding in-car AI. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
CNBC said the event came as Chinese automakers are growing outside the U.S. with rapid development times for new technologies and vehicles. It cited consulting firm AlixPartners, which said it believes China is currently bringing vehicles to market twice as fast as traditional automakers, with 40% to 50% less investment and a 30% cost advantage. [ 2 ]
Anderson, a former Tesla executive, told CNBC after the event that rapid development and the new software architecture will help GM compete against Chinese automakers abroad. "There's inherent virtue to speed," he said. He added that it is not only about getting a car out faster but about being able to develop a far more performant system. He declined to speak specifically about how GM's technologies will compare with Tesla, but said GM's systems will be able to see more things through multiple types of sensors than a strictly camera-based system, which Tesla uses. CNBC said GM continues to play catch-up to Tesla on over-the-air updates and automated driving capabilities. [ 2 ]
The New York Times also said that GM, which has an electric vehicle factory in Lake Orion, Michigan, said this week that it would drastically cut the cost of electric vehicle batteries. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The coverage presents the plan as GM's response to Chinese automakers that bring vehicles to market quickly. With no timeline given, the documents do not show when or whether the target will be met.
Key facts
- GM said it is targeting a development time of roughly two years from concept to production, versus a traditional four- to five-year cycle. [ 2 ]
- GM did not detail a timeline for reaching the goal, CNBC reported. [ 2 ]
- GM said it plans to use AI and new software to develop vehicles in less time to compete better with China, UPI reported. [ 3 ]
- Consulting firm AlixPartners said it believes China is bringing vehicles to market twice as fast as traditional automakers, with 40% to 50% less investment and a 30% cost advantage. [ 2 ]
- The New York Times reported that GM said this week it would drastically cut the cost of electric vehicle batteries. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When GM expects to reach the two-year development target. CNBC reported the company did not detail a timeline for reaching the goal.
- How GM's technology will compare with Tesla's. Anderson, a former Tesla executive, declined to speak specifically about the comparison, according to CNBC.