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Report: BMW looking to share platforms with PSA Peugeot-Citroen

 
6 2,593 views Aug 5, 2009

New Mini Cooper Cabrio’s automatic soft-top roof can be lowered in just 15 seconds at speeds of up to 30km/h

New Mini Cooper Cabrio’s automatic soft-top roof can be lowered in just 15 seconds at speeds of up to 30km/h

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PSA Peugeot-Citroen and BMW currently build small engines together that the French auto giant uses for a number of compact hatchbacks and urban runabouts and BMW for its Mini range. There are now reports that the two companies are considering strengthening this agreement with plans to share whole platforms as well.

The possibility was hinted at by BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer, who revealed BMW was talking to PSA about a deeper cooperation. Industry insiders told the Financial Times, however, that the luxury automaker was in "preliminary talks" about a future shared platform for the Mini model family, which BMW plans to expand. Furthermore, BMW and PSA are also reportedly looking to share modules and components that may be used in BMW-branded models as well.

Former PSA CEO Christian Streiff that his company was planning talks with a number of companies about further possible cooperation. Those companies included BMW and Ford, as well as “other partners”.

BMW's examination of its relationships with other manufacturers is not being limited to PSA Peugeot-Citroen, meanwhile. Earlier we reported that BMW may be in the process of swapping 7% of its shares with 7% of Daimler's shares, and there is also a previous agreement signed with Fiat Group.



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Comments (6)

  1. By Renton Posted: 5/7/2008 6:22am PDT

    French engineering is amongst the best in the world.

    Should not be a problem.
     
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  2. By Raptor Posted: 5/7/2008 6:39am PDT

    This will be interesting - both PSA and BMW make nice smooth engines. Sounds promising!
     
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  3. By Roy Posted: 5/7/2008 2:37pm PDT

    I agree. It's amazing how much French car manufacturers improved from the late 70s to the early 90s. Renault leaned heavily on Nissan, and that paid off handsomely, while PSA (Peugeot-Citroen) just got better and better at making attractive small cars with great engines and superb handling/ride. Meanwhile, just across the English channel, Rover was producing stinkers despite Honda's great engines. Then, just when they seemed ready to get serious, Rover had a big disagreement with Honda, and the pieces got sold off for peanuts.
     
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  4. By NaBUru38 Posted: 5/9/2008 2:26pm PDT

    The Citroens are missing this 1.6 THP. Dunno why the recently unveiled C5 doesn't have it.
     
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  5. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 8/5/2009 4:53pm PDT

    I wish Peugeot was back in the states, they make some great diesel powered cars.
     
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  6. By  omega 3 Posted: 12/20/2009 11:18pm PST

    They can share Mini's platform if they want, but there is no way the resulting Peugeot or Citroen will be nearly as cute or adorable as the Mini.
     
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