Just read that Daimler is reportedly in talks with FIAT about a cooperation to develop the next generation A and B class.
I guess you could say no real surprise there as FIAT are excellent at the small stuff. Just hope it's not another Alfa Arna with, this time, German design flair and Italian electrics :)
Whatever next ? Daimler talk to Renault about fixing the R Class ???
Edited by gmac on 10/10/2007 at 20:00
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Daimler could not fix Chrysler faults -
why do they think they can
Fix
It
Again
This time?
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This week Autocar suggests that BMW and Mercedes are thinking the unthinkable - working together on a small car platform.
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Are you sure that Merc aren't just asking Fiat for tips on how to cure galloping rust in the E-Class....?
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I actually think it's part of Fiats grand plan to make all manufacturers dependent on them, if only slightly
eg: GM depend on Fiat for small diesel engines and the underpinnings of the Corsa.
Ford depend on Fiat for the Ka replacement
Daimler (?) to depend on Fiat for new small car technology.
Nobody will allow them to go bust when they inevitably run out of money, again.
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Why didn't Rover think of that ? :0
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Although it was not announced in Frankfurt in Sept as this article suggested:
//www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/226762/
The "news" appears in this weeks Autocar again. Wonder if there is any mileage in this?
If true, this would have been unthinkable not long ago. But with the future threats from say Korean car companies... maybe they need to act smart now. They'll be merging next! Well maybe not.
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 10/10/2007 at 23:38
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"/www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/226762/"
So they might make a mini MINI.
How come nobody ever thought of that before?
Sorry, what was that you said, Alec?
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 10/10/2007 at 23:39
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Got passed by a proper MINI (walking mind it didn't overtake the car) and you think (a) weren't they small and (b) wouldn't want to be in that in an accident.
I'm sure a four seater could be made that size with today's technology/engineering but it would not be cheap so will never happen.
If something like BMW/Mercedes joint venture happened it would make other companies stop and think - if they can and need to do that what does it mean for us.
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The electrics in my FIAT are made by Bosch ;-)
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