It turns out that this whole deal is primarily focused on Hybrid powertrains.
GM would like nothing better than to share the Volt development costs with somebody else; thus cutting initial costs, allowing them to offer the Volt for a more "reasonable" price...and possibly even make a penny off these cars....but that somebody has to have substantial experience with hybrid powertrains, and that somebody must obviously NOT be Toyota. Ford, on the other hand would probably like to get in on the next big thing in the Industry: E-flex.
Of course, there's always the possibility of a collaboration on conventional powertrains, too; but for now it's all about the Hybrids.
http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20...d-for-gm-ford/