Hot! Tesla, BMW in talks over "a possible alliance"

[EnI]

Tesla, BMW in talks over batteries, light-weight parts, Musk says

Musk: BMW's production of carbon fiber reinforced car body parts is "interesting" and "relatively cost efficient."

November 23, 2014 - 11:32 am ET

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -- Tesla Motors is in talks with BMW over a possible alliance in batteries and light-weight components, Tesla CEO Elon Musk told German weekly Der Spiegel.

In an interview published on Sunday, Musk described BMW's production of carbon fiber reinforced car body parts as "interesting" and "relatively cost efficient."

BMW uses carbon fibers from its joint venture with materials supplier SGL to make reinforced passenger cell parts for its i3 electric hatchback and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

Officials at BMW were not immediately available to comment.

"We are talking about whether we can collaborate in battery technology or charging stations," Musk said in the interview.

There were no further details on the specific nature of the alliance, however BMW and Tesla executives already met in June to discuss the creation of charging stations usable for different types of electric cars.

Daimler AG, a BMW rival and the parent of Mercedes, said last month it would continue to collaborate with Tesla even after selling its remaining four percent stake in the U.S. company. Tesla has also worked with Toyota Motor Corp. on electric SUVs.

Tesla's billionaire co-founder Musk also told Der Spiegel that he expects Tesla to have a battery production plant in Germany in five to six years.

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...s-over-batteries-light-weight-parts-musk-says

 

[martinbo]

Tesla + BMW i + Toyota = huge synergistic opportunities that can yield benefits for consumers but, also, at what cost / detriment to product differentiation and competition from the consumer's perspective equally.

 

[klier]

A battery is a battery, doesn't matter if it comes from BMW, Toyota, Tesla or all three combined. As long as it's the best, and partnerships like these will warrant that.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Tesla, BMW and Toyota... that's brilliant!

 

[Sunny]

A lighter Tesla using CF chassis and/or a 200 mile range i3 (with out resorting to a Rex) would be awesome.

 

[Deleted member 25]

Battery technology is moving too slowly, this partership is needed and as Kiler said a battery is a battery, i doubt that one day someone will rave about a BMW battery for the immense driving pleasure it brings. Anyway i read recently that BMW was eyeing toyota's fuel cell tech for possible i5. Is Tesla also into fuel cells ?

 

[klier]

I think BMW is pretty far with fuel cell tech themselves. They had these E65s driving around with hydrogen power year ago already. Nevertheless, combining forces with Toyota on this is a smart move.

 

[SCOTT27]

I think BMW is pretty far with fuel cell tech themselves. They had these E65s driving around with hydrogen power year ago already. Nevertheless, combining forces with Toyota on this is a smart move.

The company is keen to offer a varied range of sustainability options from eDrive to Fuel Cell hDrive not just for the BMWi cars but also the standard BMW models. But its all for nothing if there is no infrastructure to support and that is the key salient issue with these discussions.
There will be a fuel cell concept from BMW in early 2015 which will not only showcase a production reality for the actual car but also the technology.

 

[Sunny]

I think BMW is pretty far with fuel cell tech themselves. They had these E65s driving around with hydrogen power year ago already. Nevertheless, combining forces with Toyota on this is a smart move.

AFAIK, the hydrogen powered E65s did not use fuel cells, they used an internal combustion engine that burned hydrogen as fuel instead of fossil fuel.

 

[SCOTT27]

AFAIK, the hydrogen powered E65s did not use fuel cells, they used an internal combustion engine that burned hydrogen as fuel instead of fossil fuel.

Yes that is correct. At the 2003 IAA in Frankfurt the water refreshment served to the visitors was from the emissions from the Hydrogen7 that is how clean and pure it was.

 

[klier]

AFAIK, the hydrogen powered E65s did not use fuel cells, they used an internal combustion engine that burned hydrogen as fuel instead of fossil fuel.

Aah yes, there we go! It was a V12 if I remember correctly. With around 200 ish hp...

That's a fine looking E65 BTW, mainly because all the ugly parts are hidden in the angle of the photo
BTW, can't wait for the return of good looking hood shutlines, just look how well integrated it used to be. G11 can't come soon enough

 

[Cashmere]

Is Tesla also into fuel cells ?

Nopes. Elon Musk has been very vocal about his disdain for fuel cell technology

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[martinbo]

Hmph, cars powered by Hydrogen - what a gas.

 

[Centurion]

A battery is a battery, doesn't matter if it comes from BMW, Toyota, Tesla or all three combined. As long as it's the best, and partnerships like these will warrant that.

True. Many manufacturers are already using the same traction control system by Bosch, 4 wheel drive from Haldex and even gearbox from ZF.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Hmph, cars powered by Hydrogen - what a gas.

They should develop the technology to be powered by helium. That'd be one high pitched engine note!

 

[chonkoa]

They should develop the technology to be powered by helium. That'd be one high pitched engine note!

It will be interesting to see how it will combust

 

[Merc1]

I would suggest that Mercedes-Benz get in on this somehow. They all need to find a way to work with Tesla now.

M

 

[kingjr9000]

SHOT DOWN!

BMW dismisses Tesla tie-up talk




Despite recent rumors to the contrary, don't expect to see much collaboration between Tesla and BMW in the near future. Based on some rather prickly statements from the German automaker, Elon Musk might have even burnt some bridges in Bavaria with his latest proclamations.

The spat stems from Musk's recent interview with German magazine Der Spiegel where he discusses future collaboration with BMW on "battery technology or charging stations" and the possibility of a battery factory in Germany. But apparently, any future tie-ups are news to the Bavarian automaker. In an interview with the German business publication Wirtschafts Woche, an unnamed spokesperson for the company claims Musk said it all for PR value and swats down most of the statements. BMW has no intention of acquiring Tesla shares, and they aren't working together on any tech.

There's not much chance for future cooperation on a battery factory in Germany, either. BMW believes that the cells can just as easily be purchased from suppliers, like other auto parts. The one slight concession is that the spokesperson said that the German automaker would be willing to supply Tesla with carbon fiber. That's not an exclusive offer, though, and the company is open to negotiate such a deal with any interested automaker.


http://www.autoblog.com/2014/12/02/bmw-dismisses-tesla-tie-up-talk/

 

[tristatez28lt1]

A BMW official has vocally rejected speculation surrounding Elon Musk's recent comments hinting at a potential partnership between the automakers.

The Tesla chief last week suggested the companies were involved in talks regarding battery technology and charging stations. The executive even hinted at a battery production facility located within Germany, likely with the involvement of a local automaker.

An unnamed BMW insider suggests any talks were informal and not indicative of formal plans or intentions to collaborate in projects. The company is said to currently see no benefit in any potential partnership with the California-based startup.

Speaking to German outlet Wirtschafts Woche, the source boldly claimed Musk is "using us for PR purposes." The word choice suggests BMW may not be happy with the executive's loose-lipped references to informal chat.

The insider did admit that BMW would be open to sharing its carbon-fiber fabrication technology, as showcased in the i3 and i8, though the offer is open to all competing automakers -- not just Tesla.

BMW dismisses Tesla talk: Musk \'using us for PR\'

 

[kingjr9000]

^^ granted, if BMW and Tesla did talk about it, I'm pretty sure that mentioning it to the press is a BIG no-no.