BMW mulls selling engines to other automakers

[1931Chevy]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/26/b...er-automakers/


Don't go getting too excited, it probably won't mean a crate version of the S65 or N54 for Roundel fans. Running an automaker is expensive, especially a manufacturer that leans more toward niche status than casting a wide net. BMW is looking at all options for future revenue, and one of the thoughts that's occured to the well-respected manufacturer of cars with chutzpah is to bank on its engineering chops and sell engines to other carmakers. Lotus has pimped themselves out for years to other automakers, and the Porsche name has ended up on things like hard drives, so BMW selling their award-winning engines to gain an extra stream of return on their investment is a far less radical move. Hey, if selling their more mundane powerplants to emerging markets like India and China keeps the coffers full and awesome performers rolling our way, we're all for it.

[DuSpinnst]

BMW has some of the best Engines. If I was an automaker, I'd try to get in with them somehow on the powertrain side. GM could always trade some 6-speeds for the V12.....

[SonicAerio]

Sounds like a definate necessity, Porsche shares with Audi/VW/Lambo, etc and Mercedes, has a much larger lineup and even shares some engines with past partner Chrysler.

BMW definatly has oppurtunity with their smooth engines, whether it be to selling to Ford for Landrover like past models had, or to other European partners.

I honetly think BMW needs to ivest in another brand, whether that be SEAT or as I read they were interested in Volvo, why not Saab?

[Ach]

Didn't they do this already? Their 2.4L diesel was available in the Lincoln Mark VII in the mid-eighties.

[SCarFan]

I was going to say it would be nice to maybe have their small diesel engines in some small and mid-size American cars, but then I remembered how much I hate the BluTec concept that all the German manufacturers have decided to adopt.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by SCarFan

I was going to say it would be nice to maybe have their small diesel engines in some small and mid-size American cars, but then I remembered how much I hate the BluTec concept that all the German manufacturers have decided to adopt.

Everyone but Honda is using that urea (sp?) system. Well those makers that have car diesels.

[Toto]

The 2001 Opel Omega B 2.5 liter I6 Common Rail Turbo Diesel with 150hp was a BMW engine.

[mgescuro]

Wasn't GM buying diesels or something from BMW??
THey don have some of the best engines in the world. It owul dbe nice.

But GM suffers from NIH syndrome.

[Squachy]

So if GM theoretically purchased engines from BMW for whatever reason, would this be in a way considered buying Foreign?

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by Squachy

So if GM theoretically purchased engines from BMW for whatever reason, would this be in a way considered buying Foreign?

Not if they traded something back, since in the end for every one bought, they would have sold something back to them.

But in reality, is the Nox not American because it has a Chinese Engine, with a Japanese Transmission?

[EldoFan]

If Chrysler dramatically improves their interiors and starts to phase in 6spd trannies.......they could buy engines from BMW and say a nice, loud "F*** YOU" to Daimler once and for all......

(BTW, shouldn't this be in the 'Euro Competition' section instead??)

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Why is this in the Asian competition forum?

[vsd]

Originally Posted by Squachy

So if GM theoretically purchased engines from BMW for whatever reason, would this be in a way considered buying Foreign?

So i guess that would make the Vue RL a Japanese vehicle, same w/ the Vibe.

[Squachy]

Originally Posted by vsd

So i guess that would make the Vue RL a Japanese vehicle, same w/ the Vibe.

The Vibe technically is, since its just a Matrix with a Pontiac shell.

I dunno about he Vue, it DOES come with the Honda 3.5 and im assuming the Honda transmission too, but everything else is GM.

[a_v_s]

Originally Posted by Squachy

I dunno about he Vue, it DOES come with the Honda 3.5 and im assuming the Honda transmission too, but everything else is GM.

Perhaps it makes the Vue more american, because after GM started using the Honda 3.5 and tranny in the Vue, the Domestic Content % actually went up, because the previous motor was sourced from Europe.