The latest automotive collaboration will involve BMW working with Alfa Romeo and Fiat on developing components and systems as well as a common platform for BMW’s third-generation Mini Cooper, Alfa Romeo’s Mi.To and Fiat’s Grande Punto. All cars are scheduled for release early on in the ’10s, according to suppliers for both brands.
Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne mentioned an announcement will be made on Wednesday about a cooperation with another automaker during today’s unveiling of the Fiat Abarth 500, reports Automotive News Europe.
Meantime, BMW ’s brand development head Friedrich Eichiner said “We are currently examining with Fiat group possibilities for the joint use of components and systems in Mini and Alfa Romeo vehicles.”
It’s also likely the collaboration will result in a development of a new range on gasoline and diesel engines to power the small cars. The engines in current Minis were developed as a joint project between BMW and PSA/Peugeot-Citroen.
Manufacturers are increasingly trying to share development costs to bring down their costs, with another recent example regarding small car cooperation being Nissan and Chrysler’s with the former building a version of the Hornet concept car for the latter.
