THE BIG THREE

Ford Motor Company and GM have recently announced major plans and shown what they intend to do with electric vehicle manufacturing. But that doesn’t mean the internal combustion engine is going the way of the buggy whip. GM is ready to give the Hummer a new life as an electric SUV, Cadillac will build its luxury Lyriq SUV as an electric SUV and Ford is ready with the Mustang Mach-E and an electric F-150. Guidehouse Insights auto analyst Sam Abuelsamid said the Big Three are expected to have 100 new electric vehicle offerings in the next five years and 300 worldwide. This will change manufacturing considering it takes far fewer parts to make an electric vehicle.

Auto analyst David Cole called the agreement coopetition, which auto companies work together to save money. Thats needed now more than ever, and with the Honda Motor Company getting involved, that should tell how important coopetition is. The agreement wasnt completely out of the blue as the two companies agreed to work on next-generation electric vehicles in April. RELATED: May Mobility expanding in Ann Arbor; highlights leadership in autonomous vehicle technologyThe companies will share common vehicle platforms -- electrified and internal combustion propulsion -- meaning some vehicles will be GM underneath Honda exteriors. All of the automakers know eventually electrification, autonomous vehicles and connectivity will be the way of life, but thats far off in the future, Krebs said.