In a pretty bizarre story, German car magazine AutoBild are reporting that BMW and Mercedes are in talks to platform share, as is a popular trend in the Motor Industry these days.  In the same article they also claim BMW may be in negotiation with Honda, and current engine partner PSA.

The reason this may seem bizarre is that BMW and Mercedes (despite other, less high profile co-operative efforts) are regarded as arch-rivals in the premium car segment.  What seems even more peculiar is the reason sited for these negotiations, apparently:

Heavy cost pressure means Mini runs the risk of losing money should its Oxford, England, plant not run at full capacity, so parent BMW is considering finding a partner.

This is despite the fact the plant in Oxford, if anything, struggles to meet demand, and with the MINI Clubman due later this year,  followed by a Convertible and other future variants, all previous talk has been how can they relieve pressure on the Plant, not about what would happen if BMW couldn’t sell enough MINIs.

According to Reuters BMW’s sales and marketing head, Michael Ganal, suggested early last month in an interview with German business magazine WirtschaftsWoche expanding its current cooperation with Mercedes, which develops hybrid powertrains, into other fields as well.

However, a BMW spokesperson moved swiftly to dampen rumours (not that it’s worked!) by stating

He was speaking generally about possible further partnerships.

Ganal’s opposite number, Mercedes sales chief Klaus Maier, denied days later there were any plans at present to expand the partnership any further.

A spokesman for Mercedes said the brand remained open to cooperation where it makes sense but reaffirmed Maier’s comments that there were no current plans to expand its hybrid partnership with BMW into other areas.

So how much weight this story holds is pretty vague, BMW may be considering teaming up and sharing their MINI platform with Mercedes, Honda or PSA.  Full story from Reuters here.