Reports out of Germany indicate that the boards of Volkswagen and Porsche have agreed on a deal that would combine their businesses, potentially under the historic Auto Union name. The combined group would reportedly be led by current VW CEO Martin Winterkorn.
Under the new combined entity, Porsche would operate independently from the other brands – much like Audi and Bentley do today – though it would continue to share technologies and platforms with the other brands. Currently, Porsche’s most visible product and technology cooperation is in the Cayenne SUV, which shares much with the Volkswagen Touareg.
VW would buy a 49 percent stake in Porsche AG, but that’s only the first step in what would be an “integrated,” according to VW, group by 2011.
A price tag for the 49 percent share has yet to be determined. Earlier, Porsche made several unsuccessful debt-financed attempts to acquire Volkswagen.
The Auto Union name was used by the consortium that controlled Audi, Horch, DKW and Wanderer prior to World War II. Eventually, the company evolved into modern-day Audi, which became a Volkswagen unit in 1964.
08/12, 1:01 PM
posted by:
A4
Auto Union is a great nameplate but VAG is always more amusing.
08/12, 1:03 PM
posted by:
reedfast
LLN
i think that it’s the cayenne suv, the cayman is a two seater.
08/12, 1:04 PM
posted by:
zfenderguy
VAG lol. They need to acquire Volvo.
Auto Union FTW! Anyone see that awesome old Auto Union racer they profiled on HD Theatre? Something like $10M car.
08/12, 1:09 PM
posted by:
A4
they have no use for volvo.
the germans and the swedes would just get into a battle over what defines perfection.
08/12, 1:14 PM
posted by:
zfenderguy
Volvo was just a joke, to add to your “VAG” play on the female anatomy
08/12, 1:26 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
What if they changed their name to Vulva?
08/12, 2:31 PM
posted by:
SomeGreek
Where are those who shouted against Porsche and it’s “dept” few months ago?
08/12, 4:46 PM
posted by:
xcatchmyshadowx
“Auto Union” was Piech´s suggestion a few weeks back but Wiedeking denied the name, so with Wiedeking out u know how the company is called in the near future.
08/12, 4:47 PM
posted by:
A4
…I was shouting against Porsche, but only because they thought they could actually make VAG their bitch, when it looks like its going to be the complete opposite.
08/12, 5:16 PM
posted by:
Borat
Now that they united Q7 can be named appropriately: Panzerwagen Tiger IX.
08/12, 6:30 PM
posted by:
scratchy
new winter option for the Q7 : halftrack !
08/13, 9:26 AM
posted by:
zfenderguy
LOL Borat
08/13, 12:28 PM
posted by:
Andreas
ihr habt Probleme ey
08/13, 12:32 PM
posted by:
Andreas
hahaha