BMW in talks with Hyundai on engine tie-ups: report

Seoul: German premium carmaker BMWand South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor are in discussions on a tie-up on engines and other areas, a source who has direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters, without giving details.

"The talks are at early stages," the source said on condition of anonymity because of confidentiality of the issue.

Another source told Reuters that the two companies had held talks on a "comprehensive alliance", including jointly developing an engine and sharing development costs by half each. He said he had no knowledge of whether the talks were still underway.

German industry newsletterAutomobil Produktionreported on Thursday that BMW was in talks with Hyundai.

German industry newsletter Automobil Produktion reported on Thursday that BMW was in talks with Hyundai to help shoulder 1-2 billion euros in costs in developing new engine families.

Hyundai Chairman Chung Mong-koo's son and heir apparent, Chung Eui-sun, had met a small group of top BMW managers in Munich, Automobil Produktion said, without citing sources.

A spokesman for Hyundai Motor said he was checking the media report.

Reuters