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.