Quote:
Originally Posted by thill
Right but the FR-S and BRZ differences are mostly astehtic and if the companies split on the partnership, that means Toyota would have to tool their own factories and workers to make limited 2 door RWD production runs. And Subaru would have to cut back on production.
I think we will actually see more partnerships when it comes to sports cars to reduce R&D and manufacturing costs.
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They don't have to stop manufacturing the cars for Toyota/Scion even if they split the original design partnership, it will simply be a new contract. Do people think that one day they make BRZ on the line and the next say switch to Scion? There are enough differences between the vehicles that each one is on a separate line with a separate crew already. Making changes to each model's engine, interior, or body isn't a stretch unless a specific machine is needed for the process the line will barely change at all.
As far as car companies teaming up, it isn't just for sports cars.
GM and Nissan are teamed up for GM's new vans. I think once companies start teaming up (especially to deal with Cafe standards) they'll start to produce other projects that have been sitting b/c they needed something a competitor has already dreamed or owns production rights for.