GM expands Honda venture via battery tie-up

General Motors agreed to collaborate with Honda Motor on electric-vehicle batteries, expanding cooperation between the automakers on nextgeneration powertrains for cleaner cars. Honda intends to use cells and modules from the largest US automaker in electric vehicles built mostly for the North American market. The two already have a joint venture to produce hydrogen fuel cell systems by around 2020. The deal enables Honda to get battery-powered models to market faster. GM will be able to spread development costs over Honda’s sales volume once the two companies are both selling cars.