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Decision expected this year

By JAMES FRANEY, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE


BMW will decide by the end of the year if it will sell engines and other components to General Motors and other rival automakers, says Friedrich Eichiner, the carmaker's board member for corporate and brand development.

When asked if BMW is talking to GM, Daimler and Fiat about supplying engines, Eichiner said: "We are talking with those companies you mentioned."

BMW will decide by the end of the year because "it does not make sense to go on talking and talking forever," Eichiner told Automotive News Europe on the sidelines of a press event here.

Selling engines and other components to other automakers is part of BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer's Number One strategic plan to boost the carmaker's profitability.

In February, German media reports said BMW is looking for potential customers for engines and transmissions.

Until now, the company had not confirmed that it is talking with GM, Daimler and Fiat.