GM is betting compute and AI will help it compete with Chinese automakers
General Motors is shifting its focus toward software, AI, and central computing platforms to remain competitive against Tesla and Chinese automakers. The company plans to debut a new electrical architecture in 2028, prioritizing digital capabilities over traditional mechanical specifications.
Why it matters
This strategy reflects the broader automotive industry's transition toward software-defined vehicles as the primary differentiator in the EV market.
When GM announced its new fourth-generation EV platform on Wednesday, what the automaker didn’t share was almost as notable as what it did.
The new EV platform, part of a series of technology-focused announced during its annual GM Forward event in New York, didn’t talk about suspension geometries, dash-to-axle ratios, and torsional rigidity, all nerdy automotive terms that translate to how people will experience a car. Is it supple or sporty? Does it have a refined stance? When it hits a pothole, does it feel like a bank vault or a paper plate?
Instead, GM’s announcement centered on novel battery chemistries, revamped electric motors, and an entirely new central computing platform and electrical architecture that will connect every system in the car, including acceleration and power, steering, braking, and active safety features as well as software. Lots and lots of software.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in