Jalopnik: partnership

VW, KTM Motorcycle Partnership Rumors Swirling, Could Result In 1-Liter Car

Wes Siler — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Rumor has it that Volkswagen is in talks with KTM about partnering up to produce VW brand motorcycles. For you car folks, KTM is an Austrian firm known for its race-ready dirt and street bikes - think Ducati but with less of the pretense and more of the color orange. As the rumor has it, this could even result in production of the crazy GX3 trike.

The rumors follow an interview with VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech in German magazine Stern in which he expressed regret for failing to buy Ducati during the '80s when it was troubled financially. He then went on to say, "I would still like a small, valuable motorcycle manufacturer, I myself drive a Ducati. 180 horses and more power per kilogram weight than a 1,001hp Bugatti."

KTM would be a good fit for VW. Not only are they based just across the border, but the two already collaborated on the X-Bow track car. It's this, combined with Piech's statement, which is most likely fueling these rumors.

In our opinion, it's unlikely that VW would consider its own range of bikes. Not only is it litigation adverse, but there's a limited market for motorcycles that pales in comparison to that for cars. Neither does KTM need the partnership, after a fresh injection of capital from Indian motorcycle maker Bajaj, they're on course to become Europe's largest bike manufacturer by 2020, when they aim to produce over 200,000 bikes annually.

It's also extremely unlikely that VW would revive the GX3, an expensive program that caused much controversy within the company before being killed off.

It's much more likely that if VW and KTM are talking it's about producing a lightweight, high-tech, ultra-high-mileage car, something like the 1-Liter Car concept. KTM would be able to offer expertise in both carbon fiber and small production runs, VW could offer money.
[via Auto Express]

Spyker, Lotus Join Forces

Wes Siler — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Future Spyker models will be built on Lotus platforms and share many of their parts thanks to a deal made earlier today. The Parts and Platform Commonality agreement should be good news for the troubled Dutch sportscar maker, meaning much of their development cost will be carried by troubled English sportscar maker, Lotus. The timing is especially good for Spyker, as it means they'll be able to take advantage of the forthcoming Eagle and Esprit models.

The two companies have also signed a Design and Engineering agreement, meaning Lotus will have a hand in how Spyker designs vehicles based on Lotus's platforms.

The two firms were already collaborating on the Aileron supercar and D8 super SUV. [via Autocar]

Chrysler and Nissan May Buddy Up for Compact Car

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:00:00 EST

Reuters is reporting Nissan Motors and Chrysler LLC are deep in talks over a deal which would see Nissan supplying a compact car for Chysler's North American market. The target model would have a 1.8L engine and slot in the lowest rung of the Chrysler portfolio. Interestingly, the article goes on to mention how there could be further component sharing across car and truck platforms from both automakers. All of this brings up a question we always enjoy asking: What should we call this venture? Considering the Nissan Renault and Bajaj partnership on a Tata competitor, and the already well established Chryslerberus nickname, what should we call the fruits of this deal?