BMW, Saab said to agree on engine-purchasing deal

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BMW, Saab said to agree on engine-purchasing deal

Wire Reports

Automotive News Europe -- September 27, 2010 08:31 CET

Saab and BMW AG have agreed on a deal that allows the Swedish carmaker to use engines made by BMW, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Saab will initially purchase BMW engines for the 9-3 model that is scheduled for release in late 2012, said the person, who asked not to be identified before a contract is signed. The carmakers plan to sign and announce the pact in Trollhaettan, Sweden, on Wednesday, the person said.

The automakers are also in talks about Saab buying diesel engines from BMW, as well as using BMW's Mini Countryman platform for its smaller 9-2 model, the person said.

Saab said it will make an announcement on Wednesday and will hold a press conference in Sweden at 11:15 CET.

A BMW spokesman said: "We are in talks with other manufacturers every now and then about a number of topics, on which we currently cannot provide any details. On Wednesday Saab is organizing a conference in Sweden. We can only refer you to that conference."

Saab Chairman Victor Muller has said he would like the company to build a 9-2 model, which Saab aims to release by 2014, inspired by the tear-drop shaped Saab 92 model that was in production between 1949 and 1956.

Muller has said he needs an industrial partner or another investor to help fund development. On Monday, Muller would not comment on reports of the BMW tie-up.

Muller's Dutch-based luxury car maker Spyker bought Saab from General Motors Co. earlier this year. Reviving the Saab model lineup is key to Muller's $1 billion recovery plan for Saab.

Saab's upgraded 9-3 model will be the first one designed by Jason Castriota, the U.S. designer known for creating the Ferrari P4/5 and Maserati GranTurismo.

Saab has said it aims to sell 60,000 to 70,000 of the new 9-3 annually, out of total sales of 120,000 cars, by 2012.

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has been looking for opportunities to sell components to other manufacturers to boost revenue. BMW agreed in March to supply more than 240,000 six- cylinder diesel engines, cooling systems, and transmissions to Carbon Motors Corp., which is developing a police car for U.S. law enforcement agencies. BMW also supplies engines to exotic car manufacturer Wiessmann GmbH.

Bloomberg, Reuters contributed to this report

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100927/ANE/309279922/1265#ixzz10k4Gy8dW

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Spyker confirms talks with BMW after reports that 2012 9-3 will get Bimmer power

by Steven J. Ewing (RSS feed) on Sep 27th 2010 at 10:28AM

Spyker Cars has released an official statement confirming that it is in talks with BMW about future component sharing. The rumors surrounding this topic had initially suggested that BMW would lend Saab its Mini Countryman platform to underpin a smaller 9-2 model, but new reports indicate that the larger 9-3 could be the first to benefit from this partnership.

The next-generation Saab 9-3 is expected to launch in 2012. If the Spyker/BMW talks go well, the new 9-3 could be powered by an all-new Bimmer-sourced engine that produces around 220 horsepower, according to Bloomberg. BMW's EfficientDynamics technologies would naturally be used within this new powerplant, and according to the report, we shouldn't rule out the possibility of seeing this mill under the hood of the 9-5 flagship.

Of course, a teardrop-shaped Saab 9-2 is still on the table, with the automaker hoping to launch it by 2014 if it can find a partner. In addition to Countryman underworkings, Saab is reportedly hoping to use some of BMW's small-displacement diesel engines for use in the 9-2, as well. Follow the jump to read the official statement from Spyker after reviewing the Bloomberg report at the link below.

[sources: Spyker Cars, Bloomberg]

Show full PR text

REACTION ON PRESS SPECULATION ABOUT BMW

Zeewolde, The Netherlands, 27 September 2010.

Spyker Cars N.V. ("the Group"), a holding company that owns subsidiaries which produce and sell premium automobiles under the Saab and Spyker brands, has noted recent press speculation about the possible supply relationship with BMW. The Group confirms that talks are ongoing and will give further details once a final agreement has been reached.

link:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/27/spyker-confirms-talks-with-bmw-after-reports-that-2012-9-3-will/

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Saab Confirms BMW Talks on Engine Supply, 2012 9-3 May be the First Model to Benefit from the Deal

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

The next generation of Saab models may very well be powered by BMW engines if negotiations between the two automakers are successful. Following widespread media speculations on the matter, Spyker N.V., the parent company of the Swedish carmaker confirmed talks with BMW. Here's the official statement:

"Spyker Cars N.V. ("the Group"), a holding company that owns subsidiaries which produce and sell premium automobiles under the Saab and Spyker brands, has noted recent press speculation about the possible supply relationship with BMW. The Group confirms that talks are ongoing and will give further details once a final agreement has been reached."

A report from Bloomberg citing an unnamed person with direct knowledge of the matter said the first Saab to benefit from the proposed deal would be the next 9-3 model, due for release in 2012. According to the source, Saab will make use of a new 222-horsepower that BMW is developing and has not yet been introduced in any of the Bavarian automaker's cars. The same engine would find its way under the hood of the new 9-5.

The person said the two automakers are also in talks about Saab buying diesel engines from BMW as well as the possible use of the MINI Countryman's platform for the future 9-2 premium sub-compact.

A final announcement on the deal could be made as early as the end of this week. We will continue to follow this matter and will provide updates on any new developments.

Source: Spyker / Bloomberg

link:

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/09/saab-confirms-bmw-talks-on-engine.html

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REPORT: SAAB, BMW NEARING ENGINE-SHARING AGREEMENT

By Andrew Ganz

Ever since declaring its independence from General Motors - when Dutch automaker Spyker acquired the brand - Saab has intently sought partners with whom to share technology. If the latest reports out of Europe are accurate, the latest agreement could be its most lucrative: An engine deal with Germany's BMW.

“The group confirms that talks are ongoing and will give further details once a final agreement has been reached,” Spyker said in a statement.

Saab has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday at its headquarters in Trollhattan, Sweden, although the automaker has remained mum on details.

According to some reports, Saab will use BMW-sourced engines in its refreshed 2012 9-3 lineup, while others suggest that the automaker will use components from the upcoming MINI Countryman for its future small car tentatively called 92. It's unclear what BMW would get out of the deal, although safety and turbocharging expertise are generally considered Saab's biggest values.

link:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-saab-bmw-nearing-engine-sharing-agreement.html

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Saab Looking To Use BMW Engines?

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Editor

September 28th, 2010

Saab has announced that it will be holding a press conference tomorrow and latest reports indicate the company will be confirming a new alliance with BMW. The alliance will surround the use of BMW engines in Saab’s future models, as well as a possible platform sharing deal, according to people familiar with the matter.

The next Saab 9-3, due in late 2012, is to be the first new generation Saab model to be powered by a BMW engine, with both gasoline and diesel units on the table. Further down the track, Saab is expected to launch a brand new 9-2 model and this could ride on the same platform underpinning the MINI Countryman.

Speaking with Automotive News, a BMW spokesman said: "We are in talks with other manufacturers every now and then about a number of topics, on which we currently cannot provide any details. On Wednesday Saab is organizing a conference in Sweden. We can only refer you to that conference."

BMW has been supplying rival automakers with engines for years. Formerly, BMW worked closely with France’s PSA Peugeot Citroen group to develop a range of small four-cylinder engines, some of which appear in the MINI family, and more recently BMW announced that it would supply America’s Carbon Motors with diesel engines for the E7 police car.

link:

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1049811_saab-looking-to-use-bmw-engines