Aussieveedubbers · General Chit Chat

Porsche and Volkswagen to merge !

https://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/threads/76383/porsche-and-volkswagen-to-merge

phaeton ·

Sights set on integrated automotive group

Wolfsburg, 06 May 2009 - Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft welcomes the decision by representatives of the Porsche und Piëch family shareholders to create an integrated automotive group in which each of the ten brands will retain its independence.

During the next four weeks, a joint working group whose members will come from Volkswagen and Porsche will consult intensively with the State of Lower Saxony and the workforce at both companies to prepare the basis for a decision on the future structure. The Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft will do everything in its power to support this process.

parra ·

whole again

http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,25441759-31037,00.html

Phil74Camper ·

Yes we live in interesting times. Porsche's buying of VW protects them from 'investment takeovers' and keeps the group together. Plus, they have a long history together going back to Porsche's formation in the late 1940s and earlier. It's a good thing. And the government of Lower Saxony (the German state where Wolfsburg is located) still owns 20%.

Which of the Group's brands would be the most vulnerable? Surely Bugatti can't be making money at the moment and why would VW-Porsche want it anyway? I'd sell it. Likewise Bentley. I think anything that Bentley can do, Audi can do better. I would sell them off too. Skoda is doing well and I would keep them separate. But surely SEAT is a liability and crosses over too many other VW-Skoda-Audi market segments. I'd dissolve them and replace all the SEAT models with VW-Skoda-Audis. VW also owns Scania trucks and has a large share of MAN trucks. Wouldn't you merge and rationalise them too?

At least the VW group is secure - look at Chrysler. Bankrupt in the 1970s after merging with American Motors, bailed out by the Carter administration, merged unhappily with Mercedes and then divorced, and now bankrupt again and forced into a merger (or takeover) by Fiat. Who would buy a Chrysler? And GM - they have already sold off Hummer and have killed off Saturn, Geo, Oldsmobile, and now Pontiac. And they sell twice as many Buicks in China nowadays than in the USA.

phaeton ·

Phil74Camper wrote:Which of the Group's brands would be the most vulnerable? Surely Bugatti can't be making money at the moment and why would VW-Porsche want it anyway? I'd sell it. Likewise Bentley. I think anything that Bentley can do, Audi can do better. I would sell them off too. Skoda is doing well and I would keep them separate. But surely SEAT is a liability and crosses over too many other VW-Skoda-Audi market segments. I'd dissolve them and replace all the SEAT models with VW-Skoda-Audis. VW also owns Scania trucks and has a large share of MAN trucks. Wouldn't you merge and rationalise them too?
IMO I would not sell any company within VW at the moment.

Bugatti and SEAT are the most vulnerable due to them making losses but VW are turning them around by building more profitable models within each brand.

New models within SEAT range which will hopefully turn their woes around are the Exeo sedan and wagon and the future Tiguan based Tribu.

Future Bugatti products will be shared with Bentley ie Arnage/Bugatti Sedan.

IMO Bentley targets a completely different level of customer and $$$$ than an Audi does.

Reason Scania and MAN are not merged is that Scania does not want to merge with MAN as they're Swedish not German.
VW does have a largest voting stock but is not in control of the company yet.

VW did however sell its Brazilian Truck & Bus arm to MAN to further enhance the synergies between the brands.

GeorgeL ·

Phil74Camper wrote:And GM - they have already sold off Hummer and have killed off Saturn, Geo, Oldsmobile, and now Pontiac. And they sell twice as many Buicks in China nowadays than in the USA.
There has been precious little difference between the Chevrolet, Olds, Pontiac and Buick marques for the last two or three decades. Swap the badges and a particular vehicle could be any of these. Consolidation has been long overdue.

I don't believe that the same applies to the various marques owned by VW/Porsche.

Phil74Camper ·

Actually precious little difference for longer than that. I would think that 'badge engineering' began among the different GM divisions in the 1950s. Just change a few panels and change the badges, and you have a 'new' car. This is great in good financial times, but doesn't work now - hence the rationalisations.

For example, this is a 1957 Pontiac Super - see how it is basically a '57 Chevy with slightly different panels and grille.