BMW and Mercedes-Benz - can't we all just get along?

Filed under: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

BMW and Mercedes-Benz - can't we all just get along?

by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Oct 7th 2008 at 10:58AM

We have heard almost constant rumors of a tie-up between Mercedes-Benz and BMW for the last few years. As market conditions change and German automaker Porsche (via Audi via Volkswagen) pushes forward with its plans for world domination, the two high-end marques have been speaking about the possibility of jointly developing certain pieces of their vehicles. The latest reports specifically mention engines as a project the two Teutonic giants have considered partnering up on. Mercedes' latest direct injection twin turbo V12 is an intriguing prospect for BMW and its Roll Royce brand. Also under discussions are smaller, lower-profit cars that use four-cylinder engines, which BMW has plenty of and Mercedes-Benz does not. The two competitors could swap technology, cutting research and development costs drastically in the process. Or, maybe not. It seems that Daimler is a bit wary of siding with its longtime enemy from across the country. Whatever happens, Car Magazine Online is reporting that BMW is looking to make a deal sometime before the end of the year.

[Source: Car Magazine Online]

Tags: bmw, bmw mercedes-benz, BmwMercedes-benz, mercedes-benz, mercedes-benz bmw, Mercedes-benzBmw

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Patrick 11:28AM (10/07/2008)

Haven't MBenz and BMW collaborated before on powertrains? Also, with the way things are right now, I'm sure the future holds all kinds of technology sharing like this. We've already seen it with Toyota licensing off Hybrid technology to Ford, as well as Ford and GM co-developing transmissions. Not that surprising to see MBenz and BMW looking to save a little money too...

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jesda 11:45AM (10/07/2008)

"the japs they will cry!"
"ooooooone gooooal!"

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jte 12:28PM (10/07/2008)

I think you mean "Japanese", not the ethnic slur?

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StickShift 1:58PM (10/07/2008)

Jesda was referencing that really, really cheesy internal propaganda video from Mercedes that raced around the internet a few weeks ago. Where is that link...here we go.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/video-how-mercedes-benz-beats-them-all/

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StickShift 1:58PM (10/07/2008)

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Kitko 11:55AM (10/07/2008)

I wouldn't make a big deal of development of engines and other bits. Unholly alliances were formed and animosities morphed in less turbulent times.

Ford and VW had the developed an MPV together (Ford Galaxy, VW Sharan, Seat Alhambra), Fiat and PSA (Peugeot, Citroen) did the same thing, Toyota and PSA came up with Aygo, C1 and 107, they're all made in a single factory in Czech Republic, Ford used to source out diesels from PSA, few of them made it to Mazdas, BMW used a Toyota diesel in the first generation Mini.... Porsche had significant input in Harley Davidson engines, Lexuses use Aisin transmissions, as well as Mazdas and many others.... And we're still not talking about steering wheels that all start to look the same...

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akboss 1:04PM (10/07/2008)

This is a great idea, and it will be more common in the future. Not only does it save money in both R&D and parts, but its easier to find replacement parts to fix/mod. At any given point there's probably five competitive car manufacturers working on engines of similar output, each investing tens of millions in their own design. Of course manufacturers still need 'draws' to make them unique, but this would cut costs, which would eventually (we would all hope) make it to the buyer.

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Fritz 3:03PM (10/07/2008)

So Mercedes gets cheap garbage. And BMW gets the best engines on the market? Yes, grand idea. I think Mercedes learned their lesson about that.

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aaron 9:22PM (10/07/2008)

What are you talking about? Both sides will be able to fill their respective needs. The BMW turbo diesels are crap? Oh wait...

It's another BMW hater. And it also seems you are a GM hater as well, Fritz...

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