Mercedes and BMW could join forces with French carmaker

It’s not unusual today for rival carmakers to work together in developing new technologies that will eventually be shared by both companies. One of the most significant partnerships in recent history was the co-development of hybrid technology by the then DaimlerChrysler, BMW and General Motors.

The next major joint-venture could be between Europe’s second-biggest volume car maker, PSA/Peugeot-Citroen, and the world’s two largest luxury labels, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
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david989 - 9/20/2007 9:00:53 AM

-11 Boost

Great. Now their already terrible quality will become even worse. Good news for Lexus. Not that it matters anyway since Lexus is poised to take over the European market in a few years just like they have done with the American market.

EnnNorak - 9/20/2007 2:01:54 PM

0 Boost

Lexus is lucky that you are not making decisions for them. The French have a history of comfortable car seats and the Germans excell in mechanical engineering. Collaboration between Mercedes and Citroen (my favorite French car maker) should scare the shit out of Lexus whose only claim to fame is that they charge too much for that "L" on the grille. I can think of several rice burners that offer far greater value than Lexus including Avalon from the Toyota stable.

BigThreeForever - 9/21/2007 7:59:45 AM

+1 Boost

Utter drivel. Having lived in Europe for some time, I can attest that Lexus is barely on the radar screen for premium car buyers here - and, do not forget, Lexus sales in Europe began in 1990, a year after the US. It is hardly as though there is no awarenes or dealer network . The reasons Lexus models sell so poorly in Europe is the lack of heritage, which really counts here, the dreary and amateurish Asiatic styling and the image - which is (in the UK) associated with successful Pakistani convenience store owners - ahrdly aspirational. Call it snobbery, call it elitism, call it what you will, but Lexus is not going to "take over the European market" any time soon.

Rupert - 9/22/2007 7:46:10 AM

+3 Boost

Bigthree, you are so right.
My friend Gagandeep...just have a guess what he drives.
Richard Mohanarajan...Ahmed Makowi, Rahul Sethi, Kamal Agrawal, they all have Lexuses. And they're all Indian/Pakistani.

Kinger - 9/20/2007 9:48:33 AM

+1 Boost

The 1.6 litre petrol and diesel engines in the new Mini are BMW and PSA/Peugeot-Citroen developed.

This partenership would be beneficial for decreasing the costs of smaller displacment engine development, like their popular 2.0 litre diesels in Europe.

Rupert - 9/20/2007 11:52:04 AM

+1 Boost

The 2.7 V6 diesel in Jags and Land Rovers is also PSA developed.

AUTO_UNION - 9/20/2007 1:10:42 PM

+1 Boost

Good move! Developing costs are just too high these days! If you want to stay competitive you have to join forces!