Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW open to further collaboration with JLR, says CEO

BMW's CEO refused to rule out that the firm could potentially further its collaboration with JLR in the future

BMW badge

BMW’s boss has refused to deny that his company could collaborate further with Jaguar Land Rover, or invest in the British company outright. 

Industry sources suggested earlier this week that JLR owner Tata is actively courting both BMW and a number of Chinese firms including Geely for investment that would allow it to develop new models and the electrification technologies that are going to be increasingly important towards the end of the next decade.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best SUVs to buy

Speaking at the opening of BMW’s new Battery Cell Competence Centre in Munich, the German manufacturer’s CEO Oliver Zipse left the door open on whether his firm could build on an existing deal with JLR, announced in the summer, to develop electric drive units. “Cooperation and working together is the new normal,” Zipse said. “It’s not only with drivetrains. We also have arrangements with a lot of other component manufacturers, where we go far beyond the normal supply chain.

“With Jaguar Land Rover, we have announced cooperation on the electric drivetrain and that’s running very well. We have another cooperation with them on internal combustion engines. Anything else is the future. There’s no decision on it and I wouldn’t comment on something that has not been decided.”

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Zipse also defended BMW’s strategy of CLAR and FAAR - its two platform architectures that can support diesel, petrol, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles. Other brands, including Mercedes-Benz and the Volkswagen Group, have invested heavily in bespoke electric platforms which they believe offer benefits in packaging and efficiency that outweigh the reduction in production flexibility that they bring.

But when asked when BMW would have to consider making its own standalone electric-car platform, Zipse said, “In our one architecture you can integrate all components. You don’t have to compromise here. For this it takes a lot of effort and thinking, and we’re on the way to doing that. We think it’s our USP: you don’t need architecture on its own [for EVs]. 

“You may see some BMW models with platforms of their own; there will be one in two years’ time,” he added, referring to the iNEXT. “But for the mass market we don’t see the need for a specific platform. There’s only one reason why you’d do that: you have been too slow and you have to put on speed.”

Do you think a closer relationship between BMW and JLR is a good thing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Land Rover Freelander to return in 2026, but not to the UK
New Land Rover Freelander name logo

Land Rover Freelander to return in 2026, but not to the UK

The Freelander name will be used for new range of electric cars, initially just sold in China but possibly coming here as well down the road
News
9 Jul 2025
New Jaguar GT spotted testing again looking long, low and suitably mean
Jaguar Type 00 - front 3/4

New Jaguar GT spotted testing again looking long, low and suitably mean

A close-to-production concept of the eagerly awaited EV is set be revealed later this year, before the road-going model lands in 2026
News
27 Jun 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025
BMW is killing carbon fibre to build its lightweight M cars from plants
Sustainable BMW carbon fibre replacement roof

BMW is killing carbon fibre to build its lightweight M cars from plants

Developed in collaboration a Swedish clean-tech firm, natural fibres are said to be just as strong and lightweight as carbon alternatives, plus more s…
News
19 Jun 2025

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons
Mazda CX-5 - front

New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons

The Mazda CX-5 has been revolutionised to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
News
10 Jul 2025