Mini Cooper Clubman

BMW Hedges on Hybrids, Via Partnership with Peugeot

BMW and France's PSA Peugeot Citroën issued a press release this week stating that the two companies, the longtime partners in engine development, would begin developing hybrid technologies together. Bloggers jumped to the conclusion that the move is a sign of strength and shows a renewed commitment about electric drive vehicles. They immediately started guessing about which models would get hybrid or plug-in hybrid drivetrains. The announcement is more accurately interpreted as a sign of weakness—a fearful response to falling way behind in the hybrid space.