Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, GM
Ford, GM considering joint engine development
In a move that will help both ailing automakers, General Motors and Ford are holding discussions about sharing engine and powertrain technologies. Although neither company will officially acknowledge the liaisons, the meetings have been going on for more than a month, according to sources. Engine and powertrain development costs are significant -- an entirely new engine could cost $1 billion, while a transmission could cost upwards of $800 million -- so splitting those costs offers substantial savings to both companies. In addition to the financial incentives, technology sharing would open doors that otherwise would have remained shut (e.g., GM sharing Volt technology with Ford). This wouldn't be the first time the two competitors have climbed in the sack together... years ago, they successfully partnered on a six-speed automatic transmission that is widely used by both companies today.
This rumor definitely makes for a fun what-if game. If these discussions bear fruit, what engines would you like shared across the aisle? A Vortech V8-powered F-150 or an LS9 Mustang GT500? How about a Malibu powered by a twin-turbo DI Ecoboost V6?
[Source: Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
mk 10:04AM (8/04/2008)
And I was getting sick of all the old restored Fords with SBC engines... I always asked, why not a proper Ford Small Block.
Oh, well... This isn't what would get me into a GM or Ford showroom, anyway.
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Avinash machado 10:09AM (8/04/2008)
What about sharing common platforms as well? The next gen Malibu and Fusion could be built on the same platform saving both companies millions.
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hydrogenvodka 1:26AM (8/05/2008)
Exactly, in a Renault-Nissan fashion. I think it would be good... who knows?
Brian 10:11AM (8/04/2008)
Sounds good to me. In bad times these automakers need to put their differences aside. They share such much common ground. The main one is that they are both American automakers. They play a crucial role in are economy and we cannot afford to lose either one of them.
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Mr Cool 12:26PM (8/04/2008)
Amen to that.
Torrent 12:33PM (8/04/2008)
Definitely agreed. I'm sick of all of these people saying Ford, GMC, Chevy, etc. sucks just because they picked a lemon back in the 80's. These Domestics need to join forces rather than be against each other, when they all have the same goals.
revvo 1:04PM (8/04/2008)
Careful there bud. There's nothing wrong with joining forces as long as what you join doesn't hurt the healthy competition.
Randy 5:32PM (8/04/2008)
Amen again! This is the only partnership I would agree to if I were either company! Any other company that could handle the joint venture (Toyota, Honda, VW, Tata,Dhaimler) would have to much to gain as a rival. But Ford and GM, though rivals, share turf, neighbor one another, probably employ 10,000 of each other's employees and hell, it's down right American! :)
But with that said! Don't f*ck with the holy grail cars! Keep the Vette, Camaro, Mustang and future Cobra or GT out of each other's ways! Sharing ain't allowed!!!!
Frylock350 10:12AM (8/04/2008)
A Mustang GT with a Chevy Small Block would be an awesome car.
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JZeke 10:13AM (8/04/2008)
I think the game "what engine from ford/gm will end up in which car" is infantile.
Think big picture here. Most engines lack significant charisma to make an impact in the driving experience, only handbuilt models or those with race heritage stand out. The vast majority of engines are quiet, sealed units that just need to make the car go when you push the faster pedal.
In this case, everyone wins: average consumers get more efficient and reliable engines in more cars, part costs go down across the board, and more money is left for developing niche products for enthusiasts.
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MajorGeek 10:14AM (8/04/2008)
They can collaborate on technology and ideas while saving costs, but each brand the engine their own. While your average driver might not care, most car lovers buy on brand and would prefer a Ford engine in a Ford car, a Chevy engine in a Chevy car. Oddly enough, there would be no difference but a nameplate, but it still "feels" better to me.
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Crackberry Addict 11:07AM (8/04/2008)
i disagree.the press has said consistently that ford take on the the transmission is "butter smooth" changing gears. so even though their sharing the basic design both will have their individual take on the engine and trans combo.
MajorGeek 11:11AM (8/04/2008)
Yeah, but I have an iPhone ;)
Crackberry Addict 5:10PM (8/04/2008)
lets not argue which is the best phone (cough..... BLACKBERRY....... cough......) their both excellent phones!
;p
MajorGeek 6:06PM (8/04/2008)
LOL :)
Gardiner Westbound 10:19AM (8/04/2008)
GM has enough problems without taking on the quality engineering that gave rise to spitting spark plugs and defective plastic intake manifolds.
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BigMcLargeHuge 10:29AM (8/04/2008)
The idea would be they'd take the best of both worlds, not the worst.
I had a spark plug shoot up into the hood of a Cavalier once too.
No use picking on one company or the other for QA problems.
Dan 12:33PM (8/04/2008)
Ford powertrains have run the gamut from lackluster to outright suck for decades. The only remotely desireable products they have now are the Torqshift transmission (which still isn't as good as the Allison) and the 2.3/hybrid setup in the Escape Hybrid.
The best of both worlds that will be going on is Ford using GM powertrains verbatim, and GM sharing the development costs.
RayJ 10:21AM (8/04/2008)
This will no doubt benefit Ford more because GM is solidly ahead in power trains. Just like Benz and Chrysler will benefit from GM's hybrid technology because they really just help foot the bill GM had the work done already from their hybrid bus technology. So they will save 500million and give away their only real edge.....again.
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2007RC46SP2 10:23AM (8/04/2008)
whats a billion dollars for a new engine when they lose that much every few weeks.
the big 2.5 should just merge and cut all the fat.
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