Honda will use GM’s self-driving technology, invests in Cruise
What's interesting is that Honda is a company that has always prioritized being in control of its own destiny. What made them interesting in the past is that there are many examples where they'd engineer their own solution to a problem, rather than license IP.<p>Quote from Mr. Honda:<p>"We [Honda] refuse to depend on anyone else. We will not copy foreign products nor pay royalties for the use of other companies’ patents. We don’t intend to get support from the government, either. I’m making it clear that we will do it our way." [1]<p>Notable examples:<p>- Hondamatic transmission [1]. For better or for worse, it was only until recently that Honda started using transmissions from ZF like other automakers. Arguably because automatic transmissions are on their way out, and they're focusing on other drivetrains.<p>- Honda's hybrid drive: They developed their own two-motor system rather than license Toyota's (Rather brilliant) solution like other companies. Their first system in the Insight (gen 1) not withstanding.<p>- VTEC<p>It seems like there's going to be an inevitable commoditization of car manufacturers in the future. Equally interesting is GM ceding some ownership of potentially game-changing tech.<p>[1] <a href="https://world.honda.com/history/challenge/1968hondamatic/index.html" rel="nofollow">https://world.honda.com/history/challenge/1968hondamatic/ind...</a>