Daimler and Fiat have ended talks about possible platform sharing.
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According to auto motor und sport magazine, Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche broke off the talks when it became apparent that any cost advantages from a cooperation with Fiat would not be as high as expected. “The Italians produce their small models more expensively than we do,” a Mercedes manager told the magazine.
Daimler is reportedly still in discussions with BMW, although if talks with its competitor do fail, Daimler will go it alone to develop new entry-level models.
The auto motor und sport article said that Mercedes managers are confident that the CORE cost saving programme has given Mercedes a new level of competitiveness in this area. “There are plans for the successor to the A and B class to developed in cooperation with a partner, but we are not completely dependent on this option. We want to stick to our goal of making a decision by the end of this year,” said head of Mercedes Benz cars, Klaus Maier.
The report added that a cooperation on engines and gearboxes for the small and compact car segment is unavoidable, given environmental requirements and the high level of competitiveness in this area.
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By GlobalDataMercedes is considering options here. A cooperation with BMW and PSA is a possibility, as is a partnership with a Japanese manufacturer.
