GM Won't Share Volt DNA With French Partner

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

The new energy relationship between PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW is just about done now that BMW and Toyota intensified their cooperation. An Opel executive dashed hopes that the French will be able to use GM technology instead. “The honest answer is I can’t imagine that,” Opel development chief Rita Forst told Reuters, when asked if the two companies would share green car technology.

“There are certain technological genes that a manufacturer cannot share,” Forst said, explaining that unique selling points like these needed to be protected. Guess that means you won’t see a Volt DNA in a Citroen, and no 3008 diesel hybrid Astra.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

More by Bertel Schmitt

Comments
Join the conversation
6 of 8 comments
  • Darex Darex on Jul 12, 2012

    Ca ne fait rien. I'm sure they'll do fine with Toyota's technology. I hear they know their stuff when it comes to hybrid and electric vehicles. ;-)

  • Adrian Roman Adrian Roman on Jul 12, 2012

    The car in the picture is a Renault Megane RS, so it's got nothing to do with PSA Peugeot Citroen

  • KixStart KixStart on Jul 12, 2012

    How very odd. HSD has been very successful, yet Toyota will license it.

  • "scarey" "scarey" on Jul 13, 2012

    No, but the Chinese will get the technology for free.

    • Doctor olds Doctor olds on Jul 13, 2012

      @scarey- actually, GM refused to give the technology to the Chinese (this site has created a false impression otherwise), at a cost of something like $20,000 incentive money on the car there. Volt was denied eligibility as a result of GM's refusal. GM did agree to support local development of EV's, which is a far cry from giving them the Volt technology.

Next