PT by Adam Feuerstein Political infighting and competitive hostilities have prevented the world's largest automakers from making any real progress on their much-ballyhooed Internet exchange, dubbed Covisint .
Analysts probing under the hood of the venture paint a different picture.
Each automaker is pushing its own agenda and chosen technology partners, creating management gridlock, analysts say. There's been very little news because significant battles are being fought over who will control the venture. But at this point, doubts and delays have taken the air out of Covisint's tires, and given credence to naysayers who believe rabid industry competitors will never be able to drop their differences and work together in a cooperative e-business venture. FTC not a worry Up to this point, most of the skepticism heaped on Covisint has focused on the pending investigation by antitrust regulators at the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC may restrict or regulate some aspects of Covisint, but few believe this oversight will be a death blow.