Dom

Greenville -- BMW Manufacturing Corp. is discussing a partnership in an automotive research park with computer industry giant Microsoft Corp.

"There's definitely an interest there," Jim Bak, a spokesman for the company's Automotive Business Unit, said Wednesday. But he said there are no specific plans for an investment by the Redmond, Wash.-based software maker.

BMW has been talking with Microsoft about a possible partnership to develop new technology, said Bobby Hitt, a spokesman for the German automaker's plant in Greer.

"At this point, there are a lot of discussions, planning going on," Hitt said. "This is a worldwide discussion."

The two companies already have a business relationship. BMW uses Microsoft software in the control panel of the navigation system that goes in its 7-series vehicles.

Microsoft's possible role in the automotive park "would be to do research with companies like BMW and others who may participate there to basically advance the adoption and use of in-car computing technologies," Bak said.

Clemson University's plans for the park include a new graduate school of automotive engineering and research facilities that would attract auto-related companies.

Microsoft would be a welcome addition to the park, said Neill Cameron Jr., Clemson's vice president for advancement. "We're interested in any major worldwide brands like that participating," Cameron said.

______________________
Source: TheState