BMW & Fiat to Co-Develop Next MINI Platform

Sections: F56 Hatch Jul 8th, 2008 26 Comments

It looks like the BMW Group has finally found an appropriate partner to help develop its next small car platform (which will include the next generation MINI). Here’s an excerpt from a report out of this morning’s NewsDaily:

Italian car maker Fiat will work with Germany’s BMW to develop a new platform for small cars, industry magazine Automotive News Europe reported on Tuesday, citing supplier sources.

Fiat and BMW are also considering developing a new family of gasoline and diesel engines, the magazine said in a report posted on its website.

The report came as Fiat Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne told reporters it would sign an industrial alliance in the car sector on Wednesday, though he did not identify the partner.

Here’s yet more from Reuters:

Both BMW and Fiat had reportedly been in separate talks with Daimler over possible joint development of small cars with Mercedes-Benz, but negotiations yielded no results.

A deal with Fiat could involve sharing common architecture between the next generation Mini, due to hit markets in about five years, and Alfa Romeo’s MiTo subcompact, an industry source told Reuters.

A cooperation with Alfa for joint motors was unlikely, the person added. BMW already sources small petrol engines for the Mini that it jointly developed with French partner Peugeot (PEUP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research), which uses them in its Peugeot 207 subcompact.

The two carmakers have agreed not to divulge details of the possible collaboration but they did say results of the talks will probably be achieved by the end of the year.

It’s unclear exactly how far this collaboration will go but it is certain that BMW will be looking for as many partnerships as possible to spread development costs down while keeping the product as competitive as possible. Look for further information in the coming weeks and early development to start next year.

(thanks for the tip Frank)

Written By: Gabe

C4

Given the current cut throat state of affairs, I think this is the right move for BMW/MINI and Fiat.
Jon

I think this a good move for both companies. The general fit seems good.
http://www.ausmotive.com Liam

Wow. Will be v interesting to see how this transpires.
Vanwall

An unholy alliance, or a stroke of brilliance, time will tell. Perhaps the first steps down the path of BMW/Fiat/Porsche, one never knows. Consolidation is the order of the day for the small fry, and if you have to get into bed with someone, better it’s a Sophia Loren than a faceless lamprey. I wish them the heartiest luck, they’ll need it.
Jimskater

I hope it’s the Sophia Loren end of the spectrum of well-engineered Italian products, rather than “if you sneeze the fenders fall off.”
http://www.chriswoolman.com Chris W.

From Autoblog:

Suppliers in the know are saying that a new deal is imminent to share the next generation Punto platform with BMW. The platform would be used to underpin the third generation MINI, which would help keep BMW engineers out of the FWD business and cut costs for Fiat at the same time.

As a front driver goes, I think BMW is doing a fine job with the MINI. If they turn the front drive engineering of the MINI over to Fiat, I hope the car doesn’t loose any of its positive qualities.
Vanwall

Ah, the Yugo Disease. A shot of good German Technology should keep that at bay, altho it depends on which end of Sophia Loren’s spectrum they end up getting. I hope.
C4

Give me a sweet Italian style interior tailored in fine leather and I am sold (Leather dashboard, etc). I think the 3rd gen MINI will be a fantastic car and I hope my expectations are met come 2012-2013.

Fiat’s turnaround from the brink of bankruptcy has been simply an incredible story.

Further, if Frank Stephenson had stayed in the Fiat group he would have been, in theory, back working for his former employer, MINI.

Frank, if you are out there, please let us know where you end up next. ;)
halogenrepublic

These “Frank Stephenson” worshippers are such losers.
Jon

I guess I am a loser then ;)

Frank is a very talented man, and the two Minis in my garage are only there because he did a stellar job of retaining the character of the Mini. Lets see, the new Mini, the Fiat 500, and the Ferrari 430. Think a great many automotive designers can only dream of having a iota of the success he has had.
C4

Halogenrepublic aka McCainRules and possibly Mr. Bean. Talk about multiple personalities. ;)
http://www.chriswoolman.com Chris W.

It’s getting interesting at Autoblog (credible or not):

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/mini-dealers-to-sell-alfa-romeos-in-the-u-s/
Vanwall

Chris W. – That’s step two. All the little fish schooling up – The Greater Beemer-Alfa-Fiat-Porsche Co-Prosperity Union is surely soon to follow.
http://www.chriswoolman.com Chris W.

Don’t forget about Porsche’s interests in VW.
Vanwall

I was trying to forget about that, thank you very much.
GregW

WAIT FOR IT – THE HEAD MAN WILL BE FRANK STEPHENSON. MINI and Fiat 500 a success story to be continued.
Nathaniel Salzman

Meanwhile from left field…

These â€œFrank Stephensonâ€ worshippers are such losers.

Mustn’t…poke…bear…ah screw it.

Seriously? This is your comment? Did you get tired of leaving asinine remarks on YouTube and decide to wonder over? How about this – can anybody name five automotive designers working today off the top of their head? Name three? Sans Google, I can’t. There are about 40 people in the world responsible for designing everything we see on the road today. That Frank has gotten to redesign two iconic classics in ten years is a pretty remarkable achievement. That’s not worship, but simply respect. Got any Ferraris to your credit? I love my R53 and my hat is off to Frank for a great job. No small task to redesign one of the world’s most iconic cars. Sorry if we’ve heard of him, but he did design our car, after all. I don’t think anybody’s got a Frank shrine in their garage or anything. Recognizing his connection to both Fiat and MINI doesn’t make everybody here a fanboy.

[/poking the bear]
lavardera

I like Frank Stephenson’s work, but hero worshiping him – I think its naive and does not acknowledge the team work involved in designing anything so complex.

And jumping all over somebody that crits worshiping him, well, we won’t poke the bear will we.
rkw

So MINI will become Fix It Again Tony(Blair).
Nathaniel Salzman

And jumping all over somebody that crits worshiping him, well, we wonâ€™t poke the bear will we.

Ha ha! Motoringfile is, at least most of the time, one of the few places online where open conversation and discussion happens in the absence of these kinds of uselessly negative and attacking remarks. The way I look at it, the only way it stays that way is if the rest of us don’t put up with it. I’ve got zero issue with people having opinions, or even opinions about opinions. If halogenrepublic doesn’t get why people like Frank Stephenson’s designs, then that’s fine. I’ve got no problem with that. What I’ve got a problem with is people who hide behind the veil of online anonymity and that becomes their excuse for all manor of arse-holery. It’s made NAM not worth reading anymore, three of the four major scooter boards are that way, and have you read any YouTube comments lately? I don’t like it, so I speak up.

Then again, I’m not the moderator. Motoringfile matters to me, as does this community, so I have no problem speaking up or speaking out. This particular thing touched a nerve, so there you go. Gabe and DB are free to tell me to butt out at any point.
Vanwall

Well said, Mr. Salzman. Light points off for troll-feeding, but we all have our limits, and I’ve done it myself much to my regret, however the rest of the post was unimpeachable. No hero worshiping, just the facts, ma’m. Here, here!
http://dbmini.us DB

Gabe and DB are free to tell me to butt out at any point.

Not necessary Nathanial. You’re doing a fine job.

Meanwhile, let us try to get back on track.
cct1

Stephenson? He’s a tool. Obviously has no clue what he’s doing, just look at his track record, it pretty much speaks the word “loser”. Took an old icon–Mini–and played an instrumental part in turning it into a modern icon. Took Fiat and played a major part in making it relevant again. The guy obviously deserves no praise, and we should take every opportunity to bash him whenever and wherever we please.

Wayne Cherry, now that’s who I worship….

Seriously though, this is a MINI board, and I think the majority of us respect what Stephenson has done. Read the history of the MINI, you’ll get a better idea of his place in the MINI’s development–its significant, and IMHO giving the guy some credit also is like giving the entire MINI development team credit–it just happens Stephenson is the face of the direction the MINI ended up going in, and rightfully so.
cct1

Sorry DB, missed your last post, you can put me in the tool category too I guess…
niggelig

i realy dislike the idea, of being told in 2015 by all newspapers, that the punto, mini, opel corsa, alfa xxx are the same base. why should i pay quite 30% more for the mini? a lot of opel drivers are already laught at because of driving a re-styled fiat. and i dont see fiat as part of gm as head of automotive innovation …
the_joker

THATS RIDICULOUS.ITS A SHAME FOR MINI/BMW/FIAT

AND U KNOW WHAT?I PAID 30000 EUROS FOR A MINI COOPER R56. WHY SHOULD A FIAT PUNTO 15000 SHOULD BE BASED IN MY CAR? ITS A SHAME. BTW FIATS CARS SUCK AND CAUSE PROBLEMS.ONLY STYLE.ITALIANS SELL STYLE BUT….HMMMMMMM…. MINI IS MORE STYLISH THAN ANY FIAT

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