BMW considering purchasing DeTomaso.

[Hofmeister]

BMW named among parties vying for defunct marque

BMW is in the running to buy the De Tomaso brand, according to the Italian government’s Industry Ministry. An Italian Union official says the talks to buy the defunct brand also include Italian buyers.

Audi’s ownership of Lamborghini and the brand recognition for the Italian marque in the US might have driven Munich’s interest, or perhaps it finds De Tomaso’s post-bankruptcy price to be too good to pass up.

Earlier this year there was an attempt to revive the brand and build a 5m-long, V6-engined luxury SUV, ( pictured ) which was based around a part-aluminium structure. It was scheduled to be built in an ex-Pininfarina factory, but the plans collapsed.

De Tomaso was founded in Modena in 1959 by Alejandro de Tomaso and built its first car – the tiny Ford-powered Vallelunga – before the Mangusta and Pantera, both of which were powered by robust Ford V8 engines.

The Pantera was made in diminishing numbers for over 20 years. The company also built two luxury saloons, the Deauville and the Longchamp. Between 1976 and 1993 De Tomaso owned Maserati, taking over from Citroën.

Attempts to reinvent the brand in the 1990s were a failure. The Guara mid-engined roadster and coupé were produced in small numbers and the Bigua coupé (styled by Marcello Gandini) morphed into the Qvale Mangusta, before being sold off to MG Rover in 2001 to be restyled as the MG XPower SV.

BMW is among several finalists reportedly vying for the brand, and if all goes as planned a sale process could begin next month.

Sources: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bmw-eyes-de-tomaso-brand
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1079163_could-bmw-be-interested-in-buying-de-tomaso

 

[speed_kills]

http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbc...de-tomaso-sports-car-brand-italian-union-says

After the Triumph revival saga, the SAAB takeover, we have a new one.

 

[EnI]

It's not a secret BMW group lacks luxury sports car brand ... And it's also not a secret BMW are interested in purchasing brand only, without other assets & liabilities. That's why a purchase of eg. Aston Martin was out of question when Ford was selling it.

 

[Sunny]

Buy freaking Lotus already please!

It's not a secret BMW group lacks luxury sports car brand

Huh? I thought that was what BMW was.

 

[EnI]

I consider BMW premium, not luxury. Luxury brands have more cachet, and are volume exclusive. While premium brands can still be quite volume sellers. Luxury sports car brands are eg. Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti.

 

[speed_kills]

When did De Tomaso became Luxury sports?

 

[EnI]

OK, Pantera was in 911 price range back then. But it has potential. Original MINI also wasn't a premium product & brand, and pre-BMW Rolls-Royces also wasn't positioned as high as Phantom is. And eg. look what VAG did with Bugatti. De Tomaso brand has potential to fight Aston Martin, Ferrari, etc. At least low-end models.

 

[aleks_16]

Would be great. That would be great Sportscars. I hope BMW have the balls to buy this or Lotus

 

[aleks_16]

This model did have some special flair.

 

[K-A]

I don't know what that homogenous lame bland Ford-esque Sedan is at the top, but whoever buys DeTomaso, PLEASE bring back a TRUE TO FORM Pantera. A new *REAL* Pantera would be INCREDIBLE.

 

[Cashmere]

Speaking of Lotus, anyone know how deep in debt they are?

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

Speaking of Lotus, anyone know how deep in debt they are?

^ Lotus is a privately owned company so it doesn't have to release its financial statements. One could only speculate.

 

[Levi68]

IMO Lotus fits BMW's global marketing strategy much better. But it is true De Tomaso has potential, especially under BMW, if they really build a new real Pantera.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Please buy it! Never thought I'll see myself in DeTomaso... different times

 

[SKY]

BMW considering buying this shit-ty brand? Why?

 

[mini_cooper4]

BMW considering buying this shit-ty brand? Why?

I guess you have to see the Pantera IRL

 

[Tumbo]

If they get DeTomaso back to something like this, I'm all in for it!
Always thought the Pantera had a little of an M1 design in it.

 

[aleks_16]

I hope they buy it. BMW need such a brand. Maybe the M Gmbh could also profit from that.

 

[aleks_16]

No. BMW are not interested in the brand ,there is more interest in the production facilities especially for Europe based models.
However the recent partnership with Toyota has allowed the doors to open with Toyota's partnership with Aston Martin not to say an acquirement of the brand is going to happen.
BMW previously looked at Aston Martin when Ford where off loading the company but backed off when Ford retains a stake in the company.
But the Aston Martin Vanquish was brought to Munich a week ago in a truck for BMW executives to have a look at since the Aston Martin boss is exBMW.

But BMW are open to partnerships with other manufacturers providing the requirements are there.
BMW have also looked at Lotus , Saab and even Volvo over the last two years also re-acquiring Land Rover was an objective but turned out to be unfeasable because Jaguar had been integrated into Land Rover that you could not have one without the other.
However Land Rover have followed through on the Original BMW strategy by launching a mini-Range Rover (Evoque) and moving the Range Rover further upmarket than before. Had Land Rover not been sold by BMW the Range Rover would feature a LWB model (in development at the current time) and the inclusion of a V12 model (not considered at the current time).

BMW are now moving forward on their own "Range-Rover" in the guise of the X7 aimed at the broadening market for super-SUVs to combat declining luxury sedans in the global market. The super-luxury BMW SAV will take advantage of the next generation 7er with an exotic mix of Aluminium.Pressed steel and CFRP to bring a significant weight reduction and use a reconfigured drivetrain from the next generation BMW X5. Having previously trialled a V12 in the previous E53 X5. The X7 will feature a further advantage by being equipped with the next generation of V12 engine. As well as the option of a plug-in hybrid model amongst other engine choices. What SCOTT26 said about the Story.

 

[Levi68]

No. BMW are not interested in the brand ,there is more interest in the production facilities especially for Europe based models.

What production facilities does De Tomaso have?


BMW partnership with Toyota is for hybrid technology. What BMW "need" is luxury brands, especially for the sportscar department. If not they don't need anything more. They already claim to be CF mass production leaders. Finally it happens that the other brands that have experience with CF and did produce such cars are, McLaren, the Lexus LFA and the Aston Martin One-77, limited production number vehicles. The new Vanquish uses more CF now, so could the new SC or Supra also use more. Finally what does BMW need then? IMO only a new luxury brand, be it Aston Martin, Lotus or even De Tomaso. Before it could have been McLaren.