There was no shortage of drama for the VW-Porsche merger. The end result is Volkswagen owning a 49.9 percent stake in the German sports car maker. After Porsche’s previous attempt to takeover Volkswagen, the sports car maker became strapped for cash. The VW stake luckily should provide the cash necessary to move past this embarrassing episode. The episode also led to the departure Porsche’s CEO and CFO.
VW’s 49.9 percent stake is likely a stepping stone towards a full takeover attempt. Ultimately the merger won’t be quite a merger, and Porsche will soon become VW’s 10th brand in addition to other premium monikers such as Lamborghini, Bentley, and Audi.
As VW surpasses Toyota as the world’s largest automaker, its position appears to be solidified. But while the VW Group lineup now has an abundance of posh nameplates, the VW hasn’t turned its back on small, fuel-efficient offerings or its position in emerging markets. In fact, VW has just announced yet another partnership – a 19.9% stake in Suzuki.
In the U.S. market, VW continues to push for more market share. A recent upswing for the brand means it’s easier to find an Albuquerque certified used Volkswagen.
Despite the tough year for the automotive industry, it seems that economic conditions continue to fuel consolidation and the Volkswagen Group is showing no signs of slowing down.
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Keep reading for more Volkswagen-Suzuki news.
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