http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/04/f...e-development/

 

If this is actually being considered, and that is a big if, my guess would be that this is a bid by GM to obtain some or all of the developmental work Ford has completed on high efficiency, GTDI engines since GM has both.....

a. recently begun talking about releasing a slew of seriously improved, second generation GTDi engines which genuinely appeared out of nowhere and did so with incredibly optimistic on sale dates. In fact GM has been projecting releases dates for small, next gen GTDi engines which rival those projected by Ford despite the fact that GM's own statements indicate they didn't start working on the same until tow to three years after Ford did. Put bluntly if they are going to deliver they are going to have to get a big head start from somebody.

and b: GM frankly has nothing to offer Ford in the world of engine production or development right now. I cannot think of a single area where Ford would genuinely benefit from co-development with GM here outside of the vague possibility of a co-developed, small displacement three or four cylinder.....and even that seem very unlikely.

.......The real question here is what does Ford have that GM wants......and I'm guessing Ecoboost.

 

Sharing transmission technology doesn't bother me... It's no different than sourcing axles, electronics, lighting units, brake systems, fuel management, etc. But when they get to the point they start sharing engines, platforms, body panels and trim then we will know the apocolypse has come...

And all these talks and rumours of Ford and GM merging is just plain weird and wrong... I mean could you imagine? A Mustang SS and a Boss Camaro? How about a Shelby Corvette? Yikes!!!

 

as long as gm isnt in charge of the interiors

 

Yeah, those GM interiors are just crap...

 

yeah, they are

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...eering.500.jpg

 

Doesn't get much worse than this.

 

Actually, yeah, it does. Like this Ford Excursion for example >>



Just look at that beautiful dash, designed by the good folks over at Fisher-Price.

 

Unlike Escalade, I don't think Excursion was supposed to be a luxury SUV.

 

Grabbing the Gravol after looking at those GM pics!

 

Which is precisely why the Excursion interior looks even worse than the Escalade.

In any event, I already showed examples above of two GM interiors that are world class. Ford of North America does not yet have a single interior that is class leading in its segment.

 

GM interiors blow. period.

I wouldnt mind them working on engines together, they need to work on high mileage diesel technology. I get ticked when I see them advertising 30mpg like it's great. If it was 50+, then it would be great. The technology is there, VW uses it.

 

I like Flex's interior a lot.

 

Oh.... My.... God!!!!! (I know you've all prbably seen this pic before but I havn't and I am ashamed ) They should have used the Opel's interior!

 

that interior is sooooo awesome. The front drivers seat is absolutely incredible. The most comfortable seat in a car I can remember. There is such a great use of space, lots of nifty places to put things, it looks really clean.

 

world class in your opinion. those interiors are just whatever in mine.

And I believe the F-150 has a class leading interior

 

That GM has been outpacing Ford with many of its interiors over the past 18 months is common knowledge, not a matter of opinion.

 

WOW. I guess we have really different views on what a good interior looks like then....

 

yep. ford's interiors are much better; they hold up a lot better too

 

Lincoln MKZ interior >>




Cadillac CTS interior >>



Cadillac is hands down the winner here; any wonder CTS sales are handily outpacing MXZ sales?

And there are plenty of other examples as well.