BMW and Fiat have been studying a cooperation code-named ‘Butterfly’ since late 2007, but, if the plan goes ahead, first applications will be years away.
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Jens Schattner, auto analyst at Oppenheim Research in Frankfurt, told Automotive News Europe (ANE), “significant savings for BMW and Fiat could kick in by 2011 or 2012.” That’s when Schattner expects vehicles with common parts to go into production.
Supplier sources told ANE that BMW and Fiat are looking for the use of Fiat parts or even a Fiat platform for the next Mini as well as cooperation on petrol and diesel engines.
“We expect BMW and Fiat could save EUR150m to EUR200m each on the investment side alone, plus additional savings on annual production costs,” Paolo Mosole, an analyst at Intermonte in Milan, told ANE.
