GM & Ford to Work Together Again?

[YSSMAN]

GM, Ford Explore Joint Engines​

General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. are discussing a possible collaboration to develop new engines and other powertrain technologies, according to sources at both companies.

The rival automakers are keen to find ways to reduce research-and-development costs even as they struggle to respond to a dramatic shift in consumer demand from big trucks and sport utility vehicles toward smaller, more economical cars and crossovers.

A deal could give Ford access to GM's Volt technology -- if it becomes commercially viable. It could also help GM offset cuts to its product development budget.

(more at the link above)

Considering the success that Ford had with GM on their transmission development (all of the six-speed units found in FWD and AWD crossovers are a part of that venture), I'm excited to see if this comes to fruition. Ford could really use the E-Flex architecture to bring some big competition to Toyota and Honda, and similarly, GM could really use some of the notes on EcoBoost in their cars and trucks as well (EcoBoost G8 anyone?).

We'll see what happens, but I'm hoping it'll work out. Lets see if Chrysler tries to buy-in too...

 

[Jim Prower]

Hm. I doubt we'll see something as sacreligous as a Chevy V8 in a Mustang, but a common line of fours and sixes might be nice.

If Chrysler gets in on this, We might as well just merge 'em all together and have "United States Motor Coalition" or something.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, Chrysler is already using their Two-Mode Hybrid system (so is BMW and Mercedes?), so they're halfway there. It seems like they'd just want the E-Flex system, but then again, I don't really know. They do pretty decent V8s and I4s, but IMO, the V6s are trash.

The thought of an EcoBoost head on a 3.6L GM block is a good one, I could see it doing good work to replace some of the V8s in the lineup.

 

[Tornado]

Translation: Bye bye Northstar.

 

[YSSMAN]

Northstar has needed to die for two or three years, and after they killed the Ultra program, everyone was confused as to what was going to replace it. There were rumors that they were going to increase the displacement on the current 3.6L unit with DIG to push it up towards 400 BHP, or just add a supercharger... But if Ford is coming on (maybe), it would seem more logical to just go with the small turbos.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

It seems like they always leave Chrysler out.

 

[Tornado]

The bigger question is what does the engine matchup mean for Ford. As much as I hate to admit it, Ford would stand little to gain from Chevrolet in this endeavour that I can see, Volt notwithstanding.

 

[Prosthetic]

The bigger question is what does the engine matchup mean for Ford. As much as I hate to admit it, Ford would stand little to gain from Chevrolet in this endeavour that I can see, Volt notwithstanding.

Ford can use GM's interior skillzorz? Ford's interior trims usually feel really cheap.

 

[Philly]

GM's interiors aren't all that special either. Most of them are just styled well, while still using poor quality materials.

Not only will it help with development costs, but hopefully it'll help both companies out of this funk that they are in and boost them into competition with other marques.

 

[V1P3R]

It seems like they always leave Chrysler out.

Is that a bad thing at this point? All they're good for now is making DUB crap possible.

 

[ND4SPD]

Funny thing is. Where I work, Ford and GM parts are being made side by side in the same plant.