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General Motors and Hyundai Formed Unprecedented Partnership That Foresees New Vehicles in Brazil by the End of the Decade, Including a Coupe SUV That Will Mark the Retirement of the Onix and Will Use the Engine and Transmission of the HB20.
General Motors and Hyundai are advancing in a cooperation that will alter Chevrolet’s portfolio in Brazil over the next decade.
According to a report published by Quatro Rodas this Monday (15), the move paves the way for the Onix to leave the scene around 2030 and for the arrival of a national coupe SUV, developed on a technical platform sourced from Hyundai and using the engine and transmission of the HB20, possibly with some degree of electrification.
Partnership Between GM and Hyundai in Brazil
Established to gain scale and reduce costs, the agreement between the automakers allows for platform sharing while maintaining each brand’s identity.
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In the context of South America, the plan includes a compact car, a compact SUV, and two pickups, as well as a commercial electric van for North America.
According to reporting from Quatro Rodas, each project will have its own design, finish, and calibration, but will use common structures and components.
For Chevrolet, the reorientation reinforces the focus on SUVs and derivatives, a trend that is already predominant in the Brazilian market.
The Future of the Onix Family
The agreement between GM and Hyundai includes only a compact car and a compact SUV. In this design, the simultaneous maintenance of the Onix hatch and Onix Plus is losing ground.
Quatro Rodas pointed out that neither body will have a new generation; both are expected to be discontinued “at the turn of the decade,” with the possibility that some basic version might survive for a limited time, depending on demand for entry-level models.
The final decision, however, has not yet been officially communicated by GM.
Chevrolet Coupe SUV
The planned replacement for the Onix aims at the niche of compact coupe SUVs, a segment initiated by rivals such as VW Nivus and Fiat Fastback.
The proposal combines ground clearance and interior space of an SUV with a sloped roofline, a solution that tends to ensure trunk space similar to that of a sedan without sacrificing visual appeal.
The launch is estimated for the end of the decade, following the overall schedule of the partnership.
Technical Base of the New Model
According to information released by Quatro Rodas, the Chevrolet SUV project will be based on the platform of the next generation of the Hyundai HB20 and will adopt engine and transmission supplied by the South Korean brand.
The studies include mild electrification, aligned with the strategy for efficiency gains in the compact lines.
Although the sharing of the platform is confirmed between the companies, the details of its application to the specific product from Chevrolet – such as calibration, power, and levels of electrification – have not been officialized so far.
Production in Gravataí and Piracicaba
The industrial design is also under discussion. The body and interior of the new Chevrolet will be unique to the brand, but the base and components will come from the common technical ecosystem.
The report from Quatro Rodas indicates that the Chevrolet coupe SUV will likely occupy the Gravataí (RS) plant, currently responsible for the Onix line, while the new HB20 will continue in Piracicaba (SP).
GM has not yet officially confirmed the allocation; the definition will depend on advancements in engineering and investments.
Investments in Brazil
The investment plan of R$ 7 billion (2024–2028) announced by GM in Brazil does not currently include this coupe SUV developed based on Hyundai.
The current package prioritizes factory modernization, flex hybrid technologies, and the renewal of the portfolio until 2028.
Projects debuting after this horizon are likely to be included in subsequent investment cycles.
Carbon Project in 2026
Before the retirement of the Onix, Chevrolet is preparing an entry-level compact SUV based on the GEM platform – the same as the current Onix – known internally as Carbon Project.
The forecast is for launch at the beginning of 2026, aimed at filling the price range between Onix and Tracker, similar to the move made by Fiat Pulse and VW Tera.
This model is expected to feature larger wheels, a more robust appearance, and inspiration from the Equinox EV in design elements.
Competitors in the Market
With the Onix gradually leaving the scene and the Carbon taking over as the entry model, Chevrolet is likely to rationalize its lineup around SUVs and derivatives.
In the field of rivals, the VW Tera began production in Taubaté (SP) in March 2025, reinforcing competition in the subcompact/compact segment and serving as a reference for positioning and equipment content.
The arrival of Chevrolet’s coupe SUV, already close to 2030, should target a higher price range and content, where Nivus and Fastback currently operate.
What Might Change Before the Launch
There is a degree of uncertainty typical of long-term projects.
The exact schedule for the discontinuation of the Onix, the final platform of the new Chevrolet SUV, and the level of electrification of the powertrain depend on technical and industrial decisions to be made in the coming years.
The GM–Hyundai partnership provides the structure for this, but the final configuration may vary according to market demand, regulation, and supply chain.
For now, what interests consumers most: a coupe SUV with sedan-like trunk capacity, mechanics shared with the HB20, and national production appears to be on Chevrolet’s horizon; in its place, does it make sense for the Onix to remain until 2030 or should the transition happen sooner?
Sou cliente da Chevrolet a vários anos, com a parceria com Ruimdai vou procurar outra montadora…
Sempre gostei da Chevrolet tenho um Onix 2020 aspirado e agora estou me sentindo traído pela montadora pois estou me sentindo lesado pq paguei caro no meu carro e vi o valor dele cair muito depois do problema da correia banhada a óleo imagina agora com o carro saindo do mercado ?