Fiat buggy steals the show

Bugster runs on electric power.

Here's a bug set to create a buzz... This is the Fiat Bugster concept, which is due to make its debut at Brazil’s Sao Paulo Motor Show next month.

The clue is in the paintwork – this dune-buggy lookalike was developed as a study into green motoring. All unnecessary parts – such as doors and a roof – are binned to keep weight down, and all the bodywork that remains is constructed from renewable, natural fibres.

The Bugster was designed by Fiat Automotive’s Brazilian engineering division as ‘a starting point for the adoption of new solutions for mobility’. Powered by an electric engine, and so emissions-free, the Bugster is about as eco-friendly as concepts get. An ultra-efficient 500 city car may well use the technology showcased in the Bugster in future.

Fiat turns to China for Possible Alliance

China’s rapidly growing auto market is attractive all around for automakers and investors alike.

Now comes works that Fiat is looking into a third deal with Chinese automakers. Talks of technical cooperation between the Italian automaker and China’s Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group have been occurring as Fiat strives to make progress in China’s growing market. Unlike GM and Volkswagen, who have reaped in hefty profits, Fiat has so far made little progress in that important market.

Fiat is currently in discussion to set up a car manufacturing venture with Chery Automobile as well. Late 2007, Fiat pulled out of a losing deal with Nanjing Automobile.

Our take? Don’t you find it interesting that these deals aren’t coming the U.S.’s way?

BMW turns to Italy for Future Small Car Parts, Engines

More and more auto makers are partnering in order to manufacture and distribute parts in a more cost effective manner.

Italian auto maker Fiat and the German car maker BMW are the latest to join the grown trend. Word is that the two will be coupled to produce platforms and components. They are also considering the joint use of components and systems in the MINI (owned by BMW) and Fiat's Alfa Romeo vehicles.

Reports also say that Fiat and BMW will be thinking about developing new gasoline and diesel engines together.

Fiat continues to whoo Daimler for partnership

The drive for more efficiency in production and operation (and, hopefully, for more profits) has caused car makers around the world to seek partnerships for all sorts of things. Now comes word that Italian car maker Fiat is talking to German car maker Daimler about “everything.”

According to Reuters, Fiat is looking for a partner to help it with, well, just about everything there is in car manufacturing. And the German auto maker seems to be in its crosshairs because it is said to be looking for help with its next generation of Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class compact cars.

A partnership between Daimler and Fiat is not a new idea. Fiat signed a partnership agreement with Daimler worth $3.49 billion to supply truck engines.

Our take? Oh, the world of peaceful co-existence or the whole is worth more than the sum of its parts.