BMW, DCX Partner for Mild Hybrids

BMW and DaimlerChrysler have agreed to team up in the development of a new hybrid system for rear-wheel-drive premium segment cars, expanding upon the hybrid powertrain collaboration already in place between the two automakers and General Motors. In the announcement, BMW and DaimlerChrysler say they will each commercialize the technology within the next three years. The hybrid system will be of the "mild" variety, meaning an electric motor will supplement the conventional powertrain by providing start-stop capability, electric boost, and regenerative braking, but likely not electric-only driving.

The decision makes sense from an economic standpoint: The premium automakers have to add to the price tag of hybrid models over their conventional counterparts will be reduced if the development costs are shared across multiple companies. While both manufacturers will benefit from the pooling of development capacity, the components will be individually adapted by the two companies to match the different character of the brands. The core development work on the proposed hybrid module system will take place in Germany.