Canoe Skateboard Platform-Based EV Development Cooperation
Development of price-competitive small and medium-sized EVs and PBVs
In the passenger EV sector, Canoo, and in the commercial EV sector, Arrival.


Hyundai-Kia Motors is collaborating with Canoo of the United States to jointly develop a next-generation EV platform utilizing Canoo's skateboard design technology.

[Company Name] is signing a cooperation agreement for the development of a next-generation electric vehicle platform and taking a commemorative photo.

Hyundai-Kia Motors and Canoo signed a mutual cooperation agreement for the development of next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) on the 11th (local time) at Canoo's headquarters in Los Angeles, USA, with officials from both sides in attendance.

Under the agreement, Canoo will provide technical support to Hyundai and Kia for the development of an optimized modular EV platform. Hyundai and Kia plan to utilize this platform to develop small and medium-sized passenger EVs with competitive pricing, as well as Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs) that meet the diverse needs of customers.

A skateboard platform refers to a structure in which key EV components, such as batteries and drive motors, are mounted in a standardized modular form on a skateboard-shaped platform, allowing for the placement of upper bodies of various shapes depending on the intended use. The Canoe's skateboard platform is designed to allow various upper body structures to be mounted on it depending on the intended use, and it has the advantage of being able to freely extend the platform length.

By leveraging Canoo's skateboard platform technology, Hyundai and Kia are expected to establish a foundation to lower EV prices by simplifying and standardizing the development process. Furthermore, officials believe that the ability to produce various vehicle models on a single platform will enable a more rapid response to changes in customer demand.

The EV-based PBV, for which Hyundai and Kia recently announced development plans, also utilizes skateboard platform technology, enabling the development of various customized concept models tailored to specific vehicle uses.

In particular, it is also pursuing a dual EV development strategy in which it collaborates with Canoo for passenger EVs and Arrival for commercial EVs.

In January, Hyundai and Kia Motors invested approximately 130 billion won in Arrival, a British developer specializing in commercial EVs, and agreed to jointly develop commercial EVs such as urban vans and small buses.

Meanwhile, Canoo unveiled its first EV utilizing skateboard platform technology in September 2019, just 19 months after its establishment in December 2017, and is currently conducting demonstration tests.

Currently, more than 300 engineers are working to materialize Canoo's architectural system concept, and the company plans to launch its first EV in 2021.