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.
“The proposed co-operation with BMW is a significant cornerstone of our strategy of alliances. We are delighted to work with such an esteemed and respected partner in the automotive industry with the clear objective of improving the competitive position of both parties,” Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group and FGA, said in Turin.
The two partners have agreed not to divulge details of the possible collaboration. The results of the cooperation discussions will probably be achieved by the end of the year.
Amazing. I think history is being made before our eyes…
Hmm. This is like the aftermath of Beda Fomm. Alfa Cooper, anyone, or Mini Giulietta?
MINI Cooper S Abarth?
Hmm. A MINI with a scorpion on the hood. Interesting.
Or a Fiat 500 JCW….
How about an innocenti? the Italian classic Mini.
Too bad today FIAT and Chrysler announced they’re partnering up…guess BMW got screwed. At least FIAT didn’t pay one cent for their 35% share of Chrysler.
<p>my God, i thought you were going to chip in with some decisive insght at the end there, not leave it with ‘we leave it to you to decide’.</p>
<p>I HOPE THAT FIAT WOW’NT INFLUENCE THE QUALITY AS IN MY OPINION FIAT LACKS IN QUALITY (plastic, paint, etc…)</p>