The rumor mill has been abuzz with talks of a BMW-Daimler tie-up, which appear to have finally come to fruition. Fresh off their partnership to develop hybrid drivetrain technology, BMW and Daimler will now join forces in the purchase of some vehicle components.
According to Germany’s auto motor und sport, BMW and Daimler – the parent company of Mercedes-Benz – will partner on the purchase of some vehicle components. “The use of economies of scale is successively being implemented,” BMW development chief Klaus Draeger told the magazine. “We do not need to wait for a model change or official announcements.”
BMW and Mercedes-Benz have historically been archrivals, but the decision to join forces will likely save both companies million. Although some future BMW and Mercedes products will now share the same parts, the automakers’ parts swapping will be limited to pieces the buyer doesn’t see, keeping both brands’ identities intact.
No word on when the partnership will officially begin, but with money saving on the line, we don’t suspect the plan will take too long to implement.
10/22, 12:38 PM
posted by:
nickkop
wtf? aren’t these two of the most profitable auto companies in the world besides Porsche-VW, and
10/22, 1:13 PM
posted by:
Borat
Even worse, in 50’s BMW was fighting off takeover attempts by M-B. The saving car was Ibizza.
10/22, 2:11 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
Sound good for both companies.
10/22, 2:23 PM
posted by:
Bmacc
A Mercedes Benz with BMW handling now that would be kick ass.
10/22, 3:27 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
“…the automakers’ parts swapping will be limited to pieces the buyer doesn’t see, keeping both brands’ identities intact.”
Sounds kind of like making love in the dark; I hope both parties are prepared for what happens when the lights come on.
10/22, 3:39 PM
posted by:
Chunnder
No bueno!
10/22, 5:41 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
See? Even the d@mn Germans realize that they must combine forces to stay alive in this unstable market. The Domestics should do the same.
10/22, 6:22 PM
posted by:
KuroSyn
Okay, so I can understand the ‘economies’ of this ‘joint purchase of vehicle components’. Also I understand that those who do purchase models that will have ‘unseen shared components’, most will probably care less, it’s more the car enthusiasts out there that know what they are buying that’ll be slighty… how to say… hurt by the image of ’shared components’ by two of the most promenent archrivals in the industry.
I can imagine those of us out there, who are knowledgeable about cars to be a little put off by this in the future, I’m pretty sure it won’t have any HEAVY influence on what future buyers of MB/BMW cars buy. But I can imagine me and my friend, one of us with a BMW, the other with a MB, over a beer, talking about the ride/feel of our cars… turning into a friendly quarrel over who’s got the upper hand… when suddenly a toyota owner jumps in… and makes mention of how our cars have some shared components… it’ll change the ‘feel’ of owning these great rivals… it’s like saying… My Lambo has the same gearbox and fuel-injector as your Ferrari…
Again, I DO understand this move, and if I where sitting in the seats of the heads in either company, I’d probably vote FOR this move as well, it’ll save our company millions, allowing us to drain the saved cash into price cuts & R&D for future models… but just… now, some of the sparkle in my beer is gone, doesn’t taste the same when you open it fresh…
10/22, 8:44 PM
posted by:
S1L1SC
Depends on what they are buying - If it is Bosch ABS components, Fuel Injectors or Spark Plugs then this makes sense. Heck, even leather for the seats would make sense.
If it is anything that make these cars unique (think sharing engine blocks or gear boxes), then it would be a bad idea.
10/22, 10:32 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Borat,
you better concentrate on getting into Pam’s pants or get your facts straight! Ibiza is a SEAT (read Spanish VW), model that saved BMW was purchased under license from Italian company ISO and was Isetta.
10/22, 10:37 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
S1L1SC,
BMW, Merc and many other automakers already share BOSCH components, such as ABS, wipers, spark plugs, etc. Also Ate makes OEM brakes for both aforementioned companies. It’s like saying that it would be okay if they would share tires.
10/23, 10:12 AM
posted by:
pavlindrom
KuroSyn, I couldn’t have said it better. That usually happens with my buddies. I am for Merc, they are for BMW, and we do argue. Of course, in the end I say that BMW “fits you more, and the Mercedes gives me comfort I wouldn’t trade”… but still, the argument is not as good when it ends fast.
10/23, 10:19 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
You would be amazed how many components are shared and used in other vehicles. Those who think BMW or Mercedes parts are exclusive to those vehicles are ignorant. Many of their parts such as power window motors, door lock actuators, relays, fuel injectors, starters, alternators, fuel pumps, etc. are also used in other brands, some of which are considerably less expensive vehicles. Bosch is probably the largest German parts supplier to BMW and Mercedes, but they also sell to Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen, Porsche, etc.
10/27, 6:40 AM
posted by:
KuroSyn
Z06ified, I’m not interested in this type of components, if I ever will argue with my friends about how my bmw’s windows open smoother than their mercs I’ll buy you a bottle of vodka. Powertrains & engine components… this is the matter here, these are the technologies that make us gleam for in our cars… and we want ours exclusive of other companies. Just like Bimmer said, what you say is like sharing the same tires that GM’s got… but when me and my friend have the same Powertrains… it’s different.