General Motors has unveiled a new business strategy this week according to which it will start offering proprietary solutions to parties interested in electrifying all kinds of transports, including marine boats, airport service vehicles and gas-powered automotive classics.
The plan envisions extensive cooperation with representatives of numerous industries, which should enable GM to break the mold and find customers outside of the automotive world it currently resides in, as well as to create new business models.
Among other things, the North American corporation proposes swapping internal combustion engines (ICEs) for electric powertrains. The new crate powertrain concept is appropriately called the eCrate, and the company says it has already tested it on a number of Chevrolet classics. These included a five-decade-old El Camino, a COPO Camaro sports car, a 60-year-old C-10 truck and some others.
Aside from the crate e-motor, Chevrolet will be offering electrification kits for water-based transports, industrial machinery, and specialty vehicles used on the roads and in off-road environments.
Furthermore, the corporation hopes to get assistance from Textron Inc. (USA) to enter the market of airport land vehicles. The goal is to switch all the numerous plane loaders, luggage carriers and shuttle buses to electric power.
Finally, the company will rely on the expertise of its subsidiary, GM Marine, to electrify naval vessels. Substantial investment will be made in Pure Watercraft, a U.S.-based company specializing in electric propulsion technologies for water-based transports.