BMW & Mercedes to collaborate like never before

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are considering joining hands for developing automobile technologies. According to a media report, the German car makers could jointly develop vehicle platforms, electric car batteries and autonomous vehicle technologies.

Both - Mercedes-Benz’s parent Daimler and BMW had revised their 2018 profit targets downward due to trade tensions and incurring additional expenses to develop electric vehicles (EV). Further, it has been reported that automotive sales have fallen for the first time since 2010. While Daimler will be adding 10 EVs over the next 4 years, BMW will offer 12 battery-only EVs by 2025.

Recently, BMW and Toyota have been working together on the Z4-Supra project, while Volkswagen has reportedly been negotiating with Ford on production of commercial vehicles and later on self-driven vehicles. BMW is also working with Intel on autonomous vehicle technology. Daimler has engine agreements with Renault and Nissan.

The two companies have been rivals ever since a failed takeover of BMW by Daimler in 1959.

Source: Bloomberg