New family of BMW engines to share many parts

Economies of scale?

You do know that screws holding your BMW together where most likely made in China, right?

And the engine fuel injection pumps might have come from America, right?

Globalization.

If I had a company I wouldn't ever have anything important made in China, or better yet nothing, the metal would be inferior or if it was initially good that could change, and any other material could be made of lead.

Or Better yet American transmissions.......

...a rationale based on what exactly? do you even know the country of origin for Audi or BMW parts? do you even understand the assembly process and quality of the process each mfr uses? I strongly doubt you have ANY clue, which leads me to believe you are all about stating an OPINION.

Wait.. no... part sharing and standardizing? it can't be! What ever happened to "purpose built" and independent thinking?

First, the move to turbo, then the move to AWD, then the move to FWD, then they look for partners so they can implement economies of scale, now they are standardizing their engines....hmm, this sounds exactly like what they were previously critizicing!!!

BMW made its first 4wd vehcile in 1930, and its fist AWD vehicle in the early 80's during the same period Audi along with 80% of manufactures were introducing awd(subaru actuall introduced their first awd system in 1972). BMW's first turbo car was in 1972, Audi's was 1978. And the transversely mounted engine combined with front-wheel drive was popularized by the 1959 Mini.

"And the transversely mounted engine combined with front-wheel drive was popularized by the 1959 Mini."

Never mind that the original mini was made by British Motor Corporation, not BMW.

Whats the problem? If BMW you bring you the same quality and performance why would you care?