Hybrid JV Interests Others

Negotiations between General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG to jointly develop a hybrid-electric powertrain have drawn interest from other auto makers, GM's top executive confirms.

GM and DC announced in December they were working together to begin offering a fuel-saving, 2-mode hybrid-electric powertrain system in 2007 for front- and rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

Development has continued during the last six months as GM and DC negotiate a formal memorandum of understanding agreement.

“I can confirm that there are several OEMs from different parts of the world who have expressed an interest,” GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner tells the media following the company's annual shareholder meeting.

“But our activities I would say have been 99% focused on getting the arrangement between the two of us (GM and DC) finalized so we have something to work with. We said from the beginning we were open to others and would welcome that. But I think the initial agreement will be between the two of us first. That's the way we see it at this point.”

Wagoner declines to name the other auto makers. But recent European press reports cite Porsche AG and Volkswagen AG as the interested parties.