General Motors' bold agreement to jointly develop five vehicles with Hyundai-Kia solidifies CEO Mary Barra’s status as a transformative leader of a company that long seemed adrift.

The deal encompasses gasoline, hybrid and electric power trains, deepening the giant automakers’ alliance. They expect the vehicles’ sales to top 800,000 a year.

The vehicles include:

A compact car, SUV and pickup for sale in Central and South America.

A midsize pickup for Central and South America.

An electric commercial van for sale in North America.

The plan leverages each company’s strengths. GM will lead development of the midsize pickup platform. Hyundai takes point on the others. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

The van will be built in the United States as soon as 2028. Th

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