Ford and GM in talks to co-develop powertrains

[CSV_LS1]

Ford and General Motors are reportedly in talks about co-developing new powertrain technologies as the two Detroit giants struggle to reduce costs in the wake of massive losses this year. According to sources at both companies, GM first approached Ford over a month ago and since that time there have been at least three meetings that have taken place.

Development costs for powertrain technologies and transmissions are huge, and reducing these will go a long way in improving the bottom line for both companies as they attempt to cope with the consumer shift away from trucks and SUVs, reports The Detroit News.

Ford and GM have previously worked together in the development of a six-speed transmission unit that is widely used by both companies, and industry analyst Jim Hall has pointed out that Ford can gain from GM’s knowledge of four-cylinder engines while GM can take advantage of Ford’s experience with turbocharging and direct injection technologies.

One of Ford’s most sought after tenets of any agreement will likely be access to the electric technology powering the upcoming Chevrolet Volt. This would drastically reduce the costs associated with the Volt for GM and provide an additional revenue stream to the ailing Detroit manufacturer.

Source:www.motorauthority.com

[schnoods]

Oh that is a good thing.

Im sure they can put their heads together and start producing a few crackers of a motor.

[Jayden]

so now ford depends on the volt succeeding too. whoa, didnt see that coming.

go volt!

Id place my money on every Japanese manufacturer unveiling some sort of car that has everything over it before long though, they've been too quiet for a few weeks.

[Mr Brooksy]

Hmm, Ford and GM working together.

Its like asking the for a lime and strawberry fruit drink. Both of them are fruit, but man what a weird taste.

I say as long as it keeps the Ford afloat here then. OK

[GS608]

could we be seeing the Holden Commodore have the duratec V6 that the Falcon will be getting in a few years time and the Ford a LS V8?

[Green X]

I'd rather have em working together than being owned by another car company or them not existing at all, to see a name like Ford or General Motors Crumble would be a real shame.

[Nikked]

Maybe Gm will get a good V6 after all!

Things don't look to good when two age old rivals have to work together, but in the end its good...

twin boost HSV? 427 GTHO?

[95falcon]

Bad plan - maybe they should start producing cars the market wants - ie. not f-trucks, big 4wds, and start concentrating on the family size and smaller sedans. They're still to ignorant to realise their saviours are sitting here in AUS.