Aug 12th, 2008
Automobile News has the latest on BMW’s moves to further increase cost cutting - and they include the MINI brand. Here’s an excerpt:
Reithofer also wants a sharp reduction in Mini production costs, although the brand’s sales are soaring worldwide.
If plans for a joint platform between Fiat and Mini fail, the company is considering putting the Mini and the BMW 1 series on the same platform, Automobilwoche has learned.
+ BMW expands cost-cutting effort / Automobile News
Jul 22nd, 2008
Autoblog, via Automotive News, has some interesting information about the upcoming ‘15 MINI that is to be built in conjuction with Fiat.
It’s unclear whether the C-Evo architecture will underpin the MINI AWD compact utility vehicle, but according to Automotive News, the platform will be capable of housing both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive powertrains, and will serve as the platform for the new Alfa Romeo 147, which will be released sometime next year.
We talked about BMW and fiat joining forces on some components last week. This, I’m sure for some of you, is just a little more fuel for the fire.
[ Biggie MINI could use Fiat Platform ] Autoblog
Jul 8th, 2008
The Automotive news is reporting that BMW may sell Alfa Romeos in North America using the MINI dealer network. Here’s an excerpt from the article just published:
Fiat said today that BMW will provide support in launching Alfa Romeo in North America. “Mini U.S. dealers would have the possibility to also sell Alfa Romeo cars,” a Fiat spokesman told Automotive News Europe today. continued →
Jul 8th, 2008
BMW Group Press Release: The BMW Group and Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA) are considering the possibility of co-operation in the areas of architectures and components for their MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed by Friedrich Eichiner, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Corporate and Brand Development, and Alfredo Altavilla, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Fiat Group Automobiles and CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies.
“We are currently examining with the Fiat Group possibilities for the joint use of components and systems in MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles in order to achieve economies of scale and thus cost reductions within the framework of our Strategy Number ONE”, Eichiner said in Munich. continued →
Jul 8th, 2008
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. continued →
