BMW and Fiat teaming up for new small car platform
Fiat wants to become the platform-sharing kings of Europe, and with deals with Tata, Suzuki, Ford, and PSA, the Italian automaker is well on its way. Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne told Automotive News Europe that another cooperation would be announced tomorrow, but details were scarce. Suppliers in the know are saying that a new deal is imminent to share the next generation Punto platform with BMW. The platform would be used to underpin the third generation MINI, which would help keep BMW engineers out of the FWD business and cut costs for Fiat at the same time. Fiat has been trying to produce a competitor to the popular MINI Cooper, and now it appears the Italian automaker will be working with an even playing field when it comes to platforms.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MGBYG 11:09AM (7/08/2008)
So the Mini and the 500 will now share a platform?
Isn't that like the Camaro and Mustang or Camry and Accord sharing a platform??
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MGBYG 11:10AM (7/08/2008)
So the Mini and the 500 will now share a platform?
Isn't that like the Camaro and Mustang or Camry and Accord sharing a platform??
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Biz 12:36PM (7/08/2008)
The 500 is not based on the punto, it's based on the panda platform.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:21AM (7/08/2008)
That's rather odd to me.
On cheap cars, common platforms always show through. So now BMW and FIAT are going to try to one up each other with cars that are identical in a lot of ways. Maybe they're just hope they'll both outclass the rest and steal market share from them? It'll be interesting to see the reviews.
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DCragtop 11:54AM (7/08/2008)
Clarity: small car platform or micro-car platform?
Both aleady have small car platforms...so I don't fully understand this post. The Punto is an amazing lil car.
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seatguy 12:08PM (7/08/2008)
A BMW / Mini with a FIAT chassis etc ... brilliant.
Nobody will ever know, right?
It's one thing if within the VW group SEAT, VW and Skoda share things whether it be platform, engines, interiors, etc or all of it. That's why they're a little cheaper.
But a premium car using a competitors second rate underpinnings??
I don't know if I'd be happy paying that big markup, while the manufacturer laughs all the way to the bank. In large parts of the EU Fiats are something you only buy once. You learn your lesson really quick when it starts falling apart around you.
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Dazza 12:27PM (7/08/2008)
Fiat's small car chassis are hardly "second rate" - small cars have, for the most part, long been a Fiat stronghold and where they excel.
Rick 12:56PM (7/08/2008)
I would have to agree. When I think of small car engineering, I think of FIAT. They've excelled in this area for more than half a century.
Ian B. 12:57PM (7/08/2008)
Sure Seatguy, that's the reason Fiat is staying on top right now in Europe with the current financial crisis when other brands are posting negative numbers.
Shiftright 1:28PM (7/08/2008)
Ditto Dazza, Rick and Ian.b. Fiat is making some brilliant quality small cars. BMW aren't stupid, and they know this. Fiat has decades of FWD experience up on BWM.
nardi 12:13PM (7/08/2008)
The 500 isnt based on the Punto platform, the Alfa Mito is. The 500 shares a platform with the new Ford KA and Mazda 2. So the Mini and the Mito may share the platform
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Dazza 12:33PM (7/08/2008)
Nardi: that is incorrect. The Fiat 500 and 2009 Ford Ka use the existing Fiat Panda platform. The Mazda 2 uses Ford's B2xx platform, which will also underpin the next-gen 2009 Ford Fiesta.
tgpt 1:21PM (7/08/2008)
Maybe while they're at it they can share some interior bits from the Punto - the ergonomics are much better than the Mini.
Also, isn't the Punto a bit on the large side to be underpinning the new Mini? I could see using the Panda, but the Punto is more Golf-sized.
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Istok 1:15PM (7/08/2008)
Hmmm, so we are getting a Yugo after all, only it will be sold as Mini... let me explain.
Fiat buys a Yugo factory in former Yugo-slavia (Serbia) and decides to make a new Punto there. They own 70% of the factory Serbian government 30%. OK, so what you say.
Well Read the article above next mini is going to be based on a Punto platform... and Fiat is trying to form all these alliances because they can do it on a cheap, hahaha. See, you'll have more Yugos in the future then you thought
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Sorin 1:25PM (7/08/2008)
It’s a very good idea. It’s gonna be a great car. I am expecting a good engine, nice looking car and a good price.
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Jruhi4 2:14PM (7/08/2008)
There is yet another dimension to this convoluted story of alliances that the press, to my knowledge, hasn't picked up on yet: The first BMW MINI used the so-called Tritec engine designed and built in collaboration with Chrysler in a Brazilian factory. Before the seven-year deal between the two ended, BMW decided to hook up with Peugeot instead for its second MINI's powerplants, and the Brazilian Tritec plant was sold to FIAT, to build "a new range of mid-size gasoline and flex-fuel engines".
Will the third BMW MINI come full circle and, once again, use Brazilian engines from the Tritec plant (albeit different engines)?
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