BMW and PSA to Work Together on Carbon Fiber Tech

The push for mass adoption of carbon-fiber in the creation of its vehicles German manufacturer BMW is promoting these days has drawn the attention of the PSA Peugeot Citroen group, the French carmakers who have been working with BMW on engine development for quite some time now.

According to BMWblog, citing PSA CEO Philippe Varin, the French group might be interested in partnering with BMW for the development of the material and its use, should the opportunity arise. In essence, PSA might benefit from such a collaboration by receiving light carbon fiber elements from the joint venture BMW is operating together with SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers in the US.

“We look for technical solutions at a premium manufacturer and a generalist can use either one,” Varin told Finanz Nachrichten.

BMW announced in July this year that it has begun work on the facility which will be in charge with manufacturing carbon fiber elements for its vehicles. Located in Moses Lake, the facility will be used to manufacture ultra light weight carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). The plant will employ 80 people once it's complete, with 200 workers to help build it.

The first use of the material will be on BMW's Megacity vehicle, as well as in other vehicle concepts. After that, CFRP will become available on a large scale on the company's cars.

The Megacity will be built around a carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, with its body panels using composite materials or carbon fiber, in an effort to keep the weight down. The vehicle will be launched in 2013.