Joint venture will develop hybrid technologies for passenger cars

The new venture will focus on developing and producing hybrid components, including battery packs, E-machines, generators, power electronics and chargers, while also developing software for hybrid automotive systems. The initiative aims to develop standard hybrid components for the electrification of both companies' vehicle ranges and to create an open European platform for hybrid technologies. A statement on behalf of the joint venture declared an intention to integrate suppliers by outsourcing some development work and sell hybrid components to other motor manufacturers. The joint venture will be operational in the second quarter of 2011 with hybrid components being available to both partners in 2014 onwards. The venture's declared attitude towards its suppliers will provide ample opportunities for the component manufacturers to get involved with these exciting technical developments at an early stage and make a significant contribution to the design of the vehicles of the future. The BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroën have been successfully cooperating on engines for several years, building together more than 1.8 million units from 2006 to 2010. In February 2010, the two companies agreed to develop the next generation of their jointly designed 4-cylinder petrol engine, which will also meet EU 6 requirements. The joint engine is currently built into a number of MINI, Peugeot and Citroën brand models.