So it recently came to my attention that Infiniti is selling a new model—the QX30—that it just so happens is based on Mercedes’ GLA. This strange scenario is the first fruit of a collaborative relationship between Daimler and Renault-Nissan.
I say it’s strange because, to be honest the GLA isn’t one of Mercedes’ brightest stars. It seems however that with the QX30 Infiniti has addressed a number of the platform’s shortcomings. That’s the sign of a successful partnership, leveraging the best practices of each partner.
That got me thinking that there have been a number of successful partnerships and pairings over the years – Ford and Lotus, Isuzu and Lotus, Toyota and Lotus, just to name a few. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t untapped partnerings that would obviously be completely fabulous. With that in mind, what as yet un-paired car makers do you think should be exploring their wonder-twin powers?
Image: YouTube
Hooniverse Asks: What As-Yet Un-Paired Car Makers Should Join Forces?
By Robert Emslie
Jan 20, 2017
Jeff Glucker
Does it have to be two car makers? Maybe a car and a bike, like Volkswagen teaming up with Trek?
I’d sure like to see some Giant Tatas.
Got you covered
http://image3.mouthshut.com/images/imagesp/925076562s.jpg
GM and everyone. LS all the things… from the factory.
Local Motors + Honda = Accord Fighter
Themed for today’s politically fractious climate
Just about any car company and W. Edwards Deming, because many of them seem to have forgotten his lessons.
I think there is already a rebadged Renault sold as Mercedes.
The future Mercedes pickup (X-class?) will be based on a Renault Alaskan aka Nissan Navara/Frontier
I didn’t realize that GM and Nissan were in bed together too. Chevy sells the small Nissan van with a Chevy badge.
Opel (GM) sells Renault (in partnership with Nissan) vans as well.
I would like Sbarro, Mansory and Mitsuoka to come together in an orgy of poor taste.
Can Dartz get in on that?
Only if they provide the whale penis leather.
I dunno if Sbarro can hold up their end of the deal when they’re counting on foot traffic through mall food courts to survive, though.
The Sbarro name does indeed convey quality.
Isn’t the industry collaboration basically boundaryless already? Can’t come up with a combo that hasn’t be done or overdone yet…
Morgan and Cietza-Moroder. Because the world needs a V-16, 3 wheeled, wooden framed car.
Patents filed under “population control”?
Only if it becomes the next Mustang.
Fisker and GM should join up and put the Corvette drivetrain under the Karma.
Oh, wait…
Kawasaki should team up with Zonda, because they’d just encourage each other.
Badass freak posse.
How long can BMW go it alone? I don’t know who, but I’m sure several are interested.
They have a partnership on some level with PSA, sharing engines for the Mini. Also with Toyota for the Z4 replacement, which will also be the ‘Supra’.
It seems that smaller scope partnerships work better, eg Mazda MX5/Fiat 124. On that note Mazda have cut ties with Ford for the pickup and are now working with Isuzu for the next model.
Ford sold their position in Mazda and have cut ties with them already. The Flat Rock auto plant is no longer building Mazda 6es alongside Mustangs. Now it’s Lincoln Continentals alongside Mustangs.
Ford and Honda should team up; both large but not massive global car makers where they’re both somewhat lacking is in their luxury arms, a major growing area of the global market. Acura and Lincoln are a bit weak individually, but together with the Lincoln badge used in the Americas, China, Korea and the Middle East and Acura in Japan, SE Asia, Europe, Russia, India and Australia. Sharing engine tech (including new fuel) and body platforms.
Another option would be Ford dumping their 2nd Chinese JV partner Jiangling in favour of one of Honda’s either GAC or Dongfeng (or more ideally GAC, Dongfeng or ChangAn buy Jiangling and Ford sign up with GAC or Dongfeng in addition to ChangAn) and Ford/Honda and their joint Chinese JV launch an ‘Asian Dacia’ perhaps using a currently defunct marque like Merkur or Edsel or alternatively one of the sub brands owned by the chosen JV partner.
Alternatively Mazda could work with FAW one of their Chinese JV partners and Toyota to re-launch Autozam (their own ‘Asian Dacia’), Eunos a ‘Sino-Japanese Pontiac’, Efini as a Sino-Japanese version of Lexus [built in China unlike Lexus at present – now the only Japanese luxury arm not building cars in China] and maybe even an actually launched Amanti [as an above Efini luxury brand].
Ford already does ‘Dacia’ cars, the Figo, Escort and you might even lump the Chinese Taurus and Ecosport in that category.
engineerd – Ford & Mazda still co-own the AutoAlliance Thailand factory in Thailand where they build the Ranger & BT-50, Everest, Fiesta, Ecosport and Mazda3 according to wiki.
Saab, Rover, Lancia