Posted by Josh Calkin on December 11, 2002 at 01:52:28:
In Reply to: Re: Re: You Guys (&gals) Are Gonna Hate ME...:) posted by DE on December 11, 2002 at 00:07:28:
When companies "join forces", so to speak, there is bound to be a sharing of ideas and materials; it's just plain cost effective.
The example that springs to mind is that of Jaguar. The older (read: pre-ford ownership) models were beautiful and mechanically sound automobiles, with one major problem: they had severe electrical issues. Many of them are reported to have developed shorts and stopped running altogether in heavy rainstorms. Since Ford stepped in, these problems have been alleviated, but the newer models are more "plasticky" inside and more... well... like Fords.
Also, the engines are starting to trade places between platforms. The V-10s and V-12s which were almost ubiquitous on Jags have been replaced with sixes and eights, while the V-12 mysteriously appeared in the prototype of the Lincoln Mark IX at one of the latest trade shows.
The GM juggernaut, for all its various nameplates, uses surprisingly few unique engines. The 5.7L V-8, which has been around for what seems like decades, is found today in everything from Corvettes to Yukons, and was previously used in the Buick Roadmaster, Impala SS, and Cadillac Fleetwood, just to name a few.
Why? It's cheaper that way. Less R&D dollars spent. This philosophy especially applies to those compnents which are difficult to design and produce, such as engines in cars and valve sets on tubas. When a maker comes up with a valve set or engine that works, you can do one of four things:
1. Make your own from scratch and hope for the best, which is expensive in time and money
2. Copy their work, making as few changes as possible without violating patents, which is risky and expensive in terms of time and money
3. Subcontract their work, saving some money and a lot of time on your part
4. Buy their company and do whatever you want
Sometimes, it all comes down to money.
-J