Tesla Motors and BMW have opened preliminary rounds of “informal” talks to discuss a future collaboration in the sharing of battery technology and lightweight components.  Tesla Motors boss, Elon Musk, is very interested in using BMW’s carbon fiber reinforced materials technology on the next generation of Tesla’s. BMW’s production process of the lightweight material is said to be more cost effective to produce. BMW uses carbon fiber reinforced polymer parts on the i3 electric hatch and the i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. Essentially they are plastic parts layered with strings of carbon fiber. Its the process required to manufacture these parts that BMW has refined in order to speed up production without impacting on quality and residual tensile strength. BMW haven’t confirmed any such talks have taken place, but Elon Musk has been doing the rounds in the German media, openly talking about the possibility of such a partnership forming. Tesla will go ahead with plans to open a battery production plant in Germany although it will be another six years before the facility is open for business. BMW and Tesla already met in June to discuss a network of charging stations designed for use with different types of electric vehicles. Mercedes recently optioned to sell its remaining 4 percent stake in Tesla Motors but is still committed to continuing a collaboration. Tesla may be new on the electric car scene but it seems auto giants are looking to learn with the likes of Toyota seeking Tesla’s knowledge on a new generation of electric SUVs.