BMW and Daimler plan to swap 7% stakes in their companies

Interesting news this morning, according to the German magazine Der Spiegel, BMW and Daimler plan to swap 7% stakes in their companies. Some of you might know that the Quandt family owns 46 percent of BMW and has Suzanne Quandt, who has multiple degrees in marketing, actively involved in the daily activities.

On the other hand, the Quandt family fears that Daimler would launch a takeover of BMW, similar to what happened to Daimler in 1998. They oppose the cross-ownership, but they agree on the proposed cooperation for purchasing components and sharing them between the two brands.
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kpaxx - 3/9/2009 12:20:00 PM

+2 Boost

MB, Audi and BMW have many parts made in Japan (especially denso, hatachi) and guess what they still fail like they fail on Toy/Leksis.

NItePhire - 3/9/2009 12:33:38 PM

+1 Boost

ALL this does is solidify them working together such as the dual mode hybrids. I dont see them sharing platforms at this time but transmissions, engine tech and R&D seem most likely.

VISO - 3/9/2009 12:35:57 PM

-3 Boost

The Quandts oppose it and I must agree with them. Daimler is not good for BMW and I fear a loss of indentity for BMW in the long run. MB is in the worst position of the three global premium automakers. Plus, BMW and MB do not have the same culture. BMW is better off doing their own thing and forming alliance but not swapping shares.

Wimmer - 3/9/2009 1:10:59 PM

+8 Boost

"Daimler is not good for BMW and I fear a loss of indentity for BMW in the long run."


Really? Did the fact that BMW used GM automatic transmissions ruin their identity? I think not.

JRobUSC - 3/9/2009 1:24:45 PM

+3 Boost

Sailor, ordinarily I at least somewhat agree with you, but how exactly did the Quant family cause the entire worldwide economic crisis?

sector - 3/9/2009 1:56:38 PM

-1 Boost

Bad move on Benz's part... not in their best interest to align themselves with the same supplier as BMW... bimmer parts disintegrate or snap off after 4-5 yrs :)

Star - 3/9/2009 3:01:22 PM

-1 Boost

If what you say is true how is it possible then for the BMW cars to still drive like new after 10-15 years of hard use. Built quality of cup holders is not that important, you know.

I think what you meant is Lexus/Infiniti/Acura when you mentioned parts disintegrating. Japanese cars are not known for their longevity, that's for sure.

_43LE - 3/9/2009 3:42:35 PM

-3 Boost

Yes, that's why Lexus/Infiniti/Acura cars do so well in the JD power long term studies and why their resale is very high. Remember, at you not with you...

Star - 3/9/2009 5:09:42 PM

+3 Boost

Lexus/ Infiniti/Acura are not doing good in long term reliability studies and they have poor resale value compare with the German brands. You failed again, 43LE.

_43LE - 3/9/2009 5:41:49 PM

+1 Boost

Star, I thought you said you weren't responding to me anymore, I guess you're also a hypocrite. Anyways, Infiniti was just rated as having higher resale than BMW.

Luxury Brand Residual Value Rankings
http://www.autospies.com/news/Honda-And-Acura-Top-Redisdual-Value-Rankings-37853/

Rank Brand
1 ACURA
2 LEXUS
3 AUDI
4 INFINITI
5 LAND ROVER
6 BMW
7 PORSCHE
8 MERCEDES BENZ

Also, VDS JD power (long term): Lexus.

Don't try to push your crap, no on believes you anymore. At you not with you...

Star - 3/9/2009 8:30:22 PM

+3 Boost

You are such a geek...Take a look in classifieds, dorkydork and see the REAL resale values, instead of believing whatever c**p you are fed by "JD brainwashed America", like sheep. If your source of information about cars is CR, JD Power, Forbes or CNET you can go pound sand somewhere else. In real life Infiniti or Acura resale values are extremely poor. They sell at auctions for pennies and are nowhere as desirable and valuable as BMW cars. What a dork you are LE43.

Threepoint1415926 - 3/9/2009 5:13:21 PM

+2 Boost

Parts sharing would be advantageous for both companies. Many of the unseen bits of either car makers are essentially the same and most times built by the same supplier (usually Bosch) with minor differences. You cant tell me that sharing solenoids and switchgear is going to rob the soul of a company...