Bimmer1 Feb 3rd, 2010 Link
“The partners have also confirmed to examine other possible areas for cooperation at systems and component level, with the aim of leveraging synergies in the development, production and procurement of selected components.”
This statement has me very concerned. Has BMW learned nothing from the mistakes of DaimlerChrysler, Ford “group”, or GM!!! Platform/component sharing across brands is a cop-out to make cheap crap, nothing else. The little guy always benefits more than the big, so why is BMW taking this risk. BMW has way more at stake here than PSA. Sure, they may save some money but what compromises will have to be made? Certainly PSA will want the parts to be cheap as possible to keep their vehicle’s at such a low price point compared to BMW. It’s like building a seven series with parts from a Kia. Those Kia parts just wouldn’t cut it in a 7 series. But you can’t make the 7 series part so it will work properly without sacrificing something to satifsy PSA’s needs. Just look at what happened when Benz starting sharing parts and development with Crysler, or when Volvo started using Ford parts. Ford essentially killed Volvo, raping them of their safety technology and investments then just leaving them for dead. Almost every problem part on the MY99+ Volvo’s has FOMOCO stamped on them. Crysler killed Benz’s reputation sending even their loyal client base running away screaming fire. Now BMW, known for it’s outstanding engine designs and second-to-none manufacturing processes is essentially outsourcing instead. And now they want to do it with many other components as well??!!? To me, this just has bad idea written all over it. I hope they are smarter than that. Up until now they have faired extremely well with the economic downturn the past couple years. I’d hate to see them screw it all up just to make friends with the French.
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