ESA mars rover design review this week

I understand that a lot of the point of the ESA programs is to involve Euro industries in the hitech venture of space exploration. Still, it seems like the most effective way for them to carry out this proposed mission, would be to largely buy and obtain MSL(nasa mars science laboratory) technology. Frankly it seems like they could just modify the science payload (as they are concentrating more on search for life than MSL. But the basic platform would be seemingly ideal for them. The landing system (sky crane concept) and power source basic mobility and flexible science instrument arm will be already designed.

If ESA didn't have not invented here syndrome, they could probably deliver an MSL platform rover in 2011 instead of their currently planned 2013. They would increase reliability and all parties would get some economic benefits of reusing some of the base technologies. As it is, ESA will probably struggle to even keep this project funded as they are already increasing costs and slipping launch, as they try to get deliver an effective science package.

I know ESA will never go this direction, because it seems all significant programs they develop are first jobs programs and second science reasearch. I'm probably biased, but as an engineer it surely seems like a waste to not reuse a developed technology like the sky crane concept that could so effectively deliver a package to the surface (once it has been proven). ESA is in fact struggling with payload mass and airbag landing system that has already been rejected by NASA for larger payloads.