GM and Ford Explore Teaming Up For Powertrain Development

General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. are discussing a possible collaboration to develop new engines and other powertrain technologies, according to sources at both companies.

The rival automakers are keen to find ways to reduce research-and-development costs even as they struggle to respond to a dramatic shift in consumer demand from big trucks and sport utility vehicles toward smaller, more economical cars and crossovers.

A deal could give Ford access to GM's Volt technology -- if it becomes commercially viable. It could also help GM offset cuts to its product development budget.

Read Article

g2ok - 8/4/2008 12:32:15 PM

0 Boost

They could do this but that would make their cars essentially the same once you have a single source for engine and powertrains. A lot of components in Honda and Toyotas are made by Denso and AISIN.

In that case they would be better off by oursourcing these components from Toyota and AISIN.

neutral - 8/4/2008 12:55:04 PM

+3 Boost

US OEM's do source from Aisin for some parts and sourcing from Toyota doesn't make much sense. The components that Toyota designs and manufactures and the same that GM and Ford do (Engines, Transmissions, Chassis, etc). The other things like door handles, interiors, etc all come from outside suppliers anyways.

GM has stellar powertrains anyways. It would be a mistake to source from Toyota.

WorldofLuxury - 8/4/2008 7:12:00 PM

+1 Boost

This might get a little ugly.

A few decades back, Toyota sent a few spies to GM's ground to research their company. (Not a surprise. Everyone does that.) Then GM decided to collaborate with Toyota so they could learn how Toyota managed their plants and kept up the quality and fit-and-finish.
If I were Toyota, I'd do what they had. They decided to ignore the problems in the plants where they partnered with GM, but that led to the sudden rise in Toyota's poor quality, which also led to a number of lawsuits.

Even though the US auto giants might have worked together before, I don't think the results of the 21st century collaboration between two dying companies would be pretty.

woood - 8/5/2008 12:41:06 AM

+1 Boost

Japanese parts makers make more reliable parts than us parts makers. Ex. I would sleep better at night knowing my aircon compressor is denso rather than Delco or some other part brand. Or my car's shocks are Kayaba rather than Motorcraft, etc. But thats just me.

85bmw745i - 8/5/2008 10:33:48 PM

+1 Boost

The only thing Delco makes that is any good is spark plugs

Htay7500 - 8/5/2008 10:23:52 AM

+1 Boost

last time I checked, Mazda is fords partial life support as they supply the frame and body in the fusion that was developed by Mazda which was first used in the 6.

outdoorsman - 8/5/2008 3:57:21 PM

+2 Boost

This is one of the most ignorant statements I have ever read, which leaves me no doubt that you are as stupid and as ignorant as well. Go back into you're socialists hole and stay there.

85bmw745i - 8/5/2008 10:36:18 PM

+3 Boost

Yes they screwed themselves by shoddy engineering and products that were so behind the Japanese in the 80's and 90's, but that was an ignorant comment. While I don't particularly care for 90% of Domestic cars, they are a backbone to this economy, and they are improving, especially GM. They have to have made one of the best turnarounds in automotive history.