GLM

About GLM

GLM Co., Ltd. is a Japanese automotive company that originated from the Kyoto Electric Vehicle Project at Kyoto University in 2006. The project was commercialized and established as a company in April 2010 by Hiroyasu Koma. The founder's prior experience in the electronics manufacturing sector, where he witnessed the decline of Japanese manufacturers, motivated him to create a new kind of manufacturing venture that leveraged Japan's underlying technological strengths. GLM operates with a dual focus: producing its own finished electric vehicles (EVs) and providing its EV platform and engineering services to other companies. This business model aims to lower the barrier to entry into the automotive industry by offering a modularized chassis and powertrain.

The company’s primary business involves the development and sale of an EV platform, a comprehensive package that includes the chassis, powertrain, motor, inverter, and battery systems. This platform is offered to a range of clients, such as other automakers needing R&D and mass-production support, as well as parts, materials, and IT companies looking to enter or expand within the automotive space. By providing the core vehicle architecture, GLM enables these partners to develop their own vehicles without the extensive investment typically required for chassis and powertrain development. The company has engaged in numerous joint development projects with firms like Asahi Kasei, Teijin, and Kyocera.

GLM's first major achievement was the production of the Tommykaira ZZ, the first mass-produced electric sports car in Japan. Inheriting the brand and design philosophy of the legendary 1990s gasoline-powered sports car, GLM completely redeveloped it as an EV, a process that took four years. Mass production began in October 2015, with the car noted for its acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The company later unveiled the GLM G4, a four-door electric supercar concept, at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The G4 was designed as a high-performance grand tourer, featuring dual motors producing a combined 536 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. Production of the Tommykaira ZZ ceased in June 2021 as the company shifted its focus more heavily towards its platform business.