General Motors is out to make new friends (with benefits). The company has made no secret of its current strategy to find partners to develop technology and new products. Now rumors are beginning to bubble about GM teaming up with one of the best in the car biz, BMW.
It is not hard to connect the dots on this one. BMW publicly mentioned at the Paris Motor Show that it was discussing partnerships with multiple companies on engine production (it even recently picked up an engine deal with former GM family member Saab.) Also at the Paris show GM was still promoting its new idea about being open to everyone. What makes this a rumor worth mentioning is that Automobilwoche is reporting a source close to the situation confirmed some contact has been made between the two companies about engines.
Everything still exists on an informal level. So BMW my just be giving GM a quick tickle for its own giggles, or vise versa. This uncertainty is what makes this a rumor, and also what makes it fun.
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This would not be first time GM has partnered with BMW. The two came together about five years ago with DaimlerChrysler to create a two-mode hybrid system.
The difference this time is that BMW will likely take a more active role, which means GM may get a sprinkling of BMW’s great engineering. If GM sets this up correctly, it could send the new engine a few hours up the autobahn to the platform whizzes at Opel – giving them a decent recipe for making an exciting car.
