[Ace333]

Hyundai regardless of what people want to think is an upcoming luxury auto maker. The days of their super cheap "disposable" cars is over and they are placing themselves in a higher end market and moving up the chain fast. A strategic partnership with someone like BMW places them on a road to success.

Drive some of their vehicles and you will bite your tounge to prevent from saying they are nice.

[Envyscorpio]

Originally Posted by Zebra99

Japanese automakers do quite well and quality wise/tech wise they make just as great products as does BMW.

Stop being a bunch of fanboys and be happy that they continue with the R&D and are sharing costs! At least they won't pass on the buck to the consumer at its full amount. Oh wait, BMW tax...who am I kidding

LOL now that is an excuse BMW could use.

[SICK BMW]

Originally Posted by Ace333

Hyundai regardless of what people want to think is an upcoming luxury auto maker. The days of their super cheap "disposable" cars is over and they are placing themselves in a higher end market and moving up the chain fast. A strategic partnership with someone like BMW places them on a road to success.

Drive some of their vehicles and you will bite your tounge to prevent from saying they are nice.

Very well said! Same with Kia! Check out the new optima! Looks nothing like any of the previous models. They're moving up very fast on the chain!

[Mdynamic]

Originally Posted by Rich@GTBPerformance

Hope they don't do it. I like the way the new Hyundai's are going but I would prefer BMW to stay 100% Deutsch.

100%?

They have similar alliances with Peugeot/Citroen, Toyota, and soon to be GM. This will be good for BMW because they don't have near the buying power as Audi (thanks to Volkswagen money).

[Ace333]

Originally Posted by Mdynamic

100%?

They have similar alliances with Peugeot/Citroen, Toyota, and soon to be GM. This will be good for BMW because they don't have near the buying power as Audi (thanks to Volkswagen money).

I dont think there is a OEM that is 100% any more. I work in the Auto industry here in Detroit. Every OEM has strategic partners around the globe to keep them competitive. GM has been providing BMW with some of the best Transmissions for years. Chrysler was previously in talk with Nissan to badge the Dodge Ram as a Titan with some changed facia. Whatever it takes for each OEM to gain part of the global footprint! Should BMW/ Hyundai start a romance, I'm sure many peope would re-consider driving the future Hyundai's

[richb811]

Originally Posted by Mdynamic

100%?

They have similar alliances with Peugeot/Citroen, Toyota, and soon to be GM. This will be good for BMW because they don't have near the buying power as Audi (thanks to Volkswagen money).

I am aware of the Peugeot alliance but that is mainly for the Prince motor in the Mini Cooper.

BMW may not be near the size of the VW/Audi conglomerate at this time, but I doubt that means their buying power is diminished in comparison to VAG.

[DieselDiner]

The underlying reason for this combo is that BMW is too small a company to foot the bill for this engine development program. That's why they want a partner, to cut down on their investment in the program.

Look at it this way: would it be better for BMW to merge with another company, or worse yet, be absorbed by another (not that it could happen, just using the example)? This allows BMW to avoid any disruptive influences from other companies, while at the same time reducing their outlay for this engine program.

The bigger question: what kind of new engine line are they looking to develop?

[DieselDiner]

Originally Posted by Rich@GTBPerformance

BMW may not be near the size of the VW/Audi conglomerate at this time, but I doubt that means their buying power is diminished in comparison to VAG.

That's exactly what BMW's size means. VW is talking about the new Golf chassis being the basis for 6 million units globally by the time all variants get rolled out.

BMW doesn't sell 2 million units altogether. You better believe VW gets better prices and lower costs with its scale vs. BMW.

[ptack]

The problem smaller companies like BMW has is they simply don't have the resources to do everything themselves so they need partnerships if they want to offer a broad range of vehicles. The big risk is whether today's partner eats you for lunch tomorrow. Obviously BMW isn't going to give a company like Hyundai the crown jewels, but everyone knows they're aggressive and want in to the luxury and performance market.

[vladberca]

Nothing established yet....

[az34]

Originally Posted by lawgone

Would be great for Hyundai but bad for BMW...image wise at least.

+1 hyundai needs bmw. bmw does'nt need hyundai.

[Mahzari]

What could Hyundai teach BMW about making engines? BMW should just sell the N20 to Hyundai and use the profits to make a Z4M with a fixed roof and S65.

They won't. But they should.

[DieselDiner]

Originally Posted by az34

+1 hyundai needs bmw. bmw does'nt need hyundai.

They need Hyundai's money.

[az34]

Originally Posted by DieselDiner

They need Hyundai's money.

never heard BMW was on the verge of bankruptcy! That's new.

[keanu1]

cost savings i supose!!

[redline9001]

Originally Posted by sam964

At least collaborate with Honda, they used to make amazing engines and maybe some day they will again

corrected for truth...

[Schm]

BMW already has engine development agreements with PSA (Peugeot-Citroen), Toyota and Daimler. They're even in talks with GM.

Engine development agreements are nothing new, it's all about volume (especially with lower-cost i.e. i8, 1er) to keep overhead at a minimum. I actually like many of the new hyundais, albeit I don't think I'd ever buy one since I've been drinking too much BMW cool-aid of late.

[M3_WC]

And it continues.

[Fester]

WHAT? I guess collaboration is good...hopefully BMW doesn't pick anything up from them...

[elusivefx]

Hyundai car stores are selling more cars than anything else on the market. Speaking with managers of many my local bummer store their Hyundai store makes more and sells more than anything else.

[M5007]

Interesting.

[SCOTT26]

Let's get one thing straight first.

As many of you are running off in entirely different directions.

BMW IS NOT GOING BANKRUPT!!!

In 2011 BMW had an significant profit return and were after Porsche.
BMW does have resources (financial) for R&D. They just do not have the amount as VAG resources (financial) and parts.

But in some ways that is actually not a concern , with multiple platform sharing as VAG and engines etc... it becomes entirely monotone which for VAG becomes a sort of form of automotive incest , flawed characteristics are inherited and the end result is not the best car.

If you take for example - The 6er Gran Coupe which is undergoing Press drives as we speak and currently under or over embargo. The car is being praised as a drivers car when on the side of the coin Audi are press launching the S6 and S7 Sportback. Again you can see why VAG resources are not the end all as both are described as Lacks cohesion, feedback and dynamsm.
Again thanks to flawed DNA and VAGs huge amount of resources - another "average" Audi.

The Gran Coupe 6er is of course based upon the matrix which spawns the 5er,5er GT , 6er and 7er. But all communicate and engage differently even though they use the same modular matrix. This is when you use what (limited) resources you have open to you to great effect. The other is when you are too busy thinking of your large salary.

BMW use partnerships and collaborations with the manufacturers who are the best of their field. If you compare Hyundai to where they where. They are a company along with KIA who have come from nowhere.
There is a video on Youtube filmed at the IAA in 2011 of the VW boss benchmarking Hyundai's i30 Eurohatch , watch that because you can see exactly why VAG would be concerned if BMW did form some sort of partnership with the Koreans.