GM, Honda Joint Venture Facility Reveals Hydrogen Fuel Cell Production

In a noteworthy advancement within the realm of hydrogen fuel cell technology, General Motors (GM) and Honda have officially initiated production at their collaborative 50-50 joint venture facility known as Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM). Situated in Brownstown, Michigan, FCSM holds the distinction of being the first large-scale manufacturing joint venture exclusively dedicated to fuel cell production.

Established in January 2017 with a mutual investment of $85 million, the 70,000-square-foot facility has already created 80 jobs. The hydrogen power solutions manufactured at FCSM are slated to be seamlessly integrated into various product applications and business ventures by both GM and Honda. This development marks a historic milestone, positioning GM and Honda as trailblazers in the initiation of volume production for fuel cells, both for transportation and broader applications, through a dedicated joint venture.

The collaborative efforts between GM and Honda culminated in the establishment of a highly capable production system. Their joint venture is characterized by a focus on mass production, meticulous attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to quality, all geared towards meeting the evolving needs of customers in the era of hydrogen technology. The cooperative venture represents a significant leap forward, embodying the synergy of Honda and GM's strengths in the pursuit of advancing fuel cell technology.

The roots of this collaboration extend back to 2013 when Honda and GM engineers embarked on co-developing the next-generation fuel cell system. Beyond enhancing fuel cell performance, the collaborative efforts led to a doubling of durability compared to the 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, achieved through the utilization of corrosion-resistant materials and improvements in low-temperature operation.

In a concerted effort to mitigate development and manufacturing costs, the joint venture strategically leveraged economies of scale, advanced cell design, streamlined supporting equipment, and minimized the use of expensive precious metals. This approach is expected to yield a notable reduction in production costs, with the new fuel cell systems anticipated to be one-third less expensive to produce than the 2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell.

FCSM has placed a premium on quality and manufacturing productivity, introducing innovative methods for automating membrane-electrode-assembly production and fuel cell stack assembly. The engineering teams from both GM and Honda, along with their respective intellectual property and expertise, seamlessly converge at FCSM, contributing to the development of affordable, commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell systems.

GM and Honda express confidence in the burgeoning role of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in addressing the imperative for zero-emissions energy and mobility solutions. The joint venture serves as a pivotal step towards realizing their shared vision for a sustainable future. While each company delineates individual strategies for their hydrogen business initiatives, the collaborative venture signifies a collective commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and underscores the role of joint efforts in propelling the hydrogen revolution forward.