Porsche to merge with VW

Not too long ago, it seemed that Porsche was going to take over Volkswagen – an incredible achievement for a small company to buy such a giant. Now, though, things have changed and it looks like the two companies are going to merge, to create an even larger concern with no less than 10 brands under its belt, including Bentley.

Not too long ago, it seemed that Porsche was going to take over Volkswagen – an incredible achievement for a small company to buy such a giant.

Now, though, things have changed and it looks like the two companies are going to merge, to create an even larger concern with no less than 10 brands under its belt, including Bentley.

Although Porsche stresses it will it remain operating independently, we’re sure that we’ll see component sharing in future – nothing new about that, look at the 914, 924 and, more recently, the Cayenne and Toureg. We can’t see this happening with the 911, though, as there’s little synergy with other models in the group (unless, that is, the 911 abandons the flat-six engine in favour of a V8, which is possible). However, the rumoured mini Porsche could share components with VWs, and we may even see the expansion of the Porsche model range. That, though, could be a mistake as it would dilute the brand so let’s hope the bean-counters don’t get too carried away.

Here’s Porsche’s press release:

Press-Information No. 09/09
06/05/2009

Family shareholders are in agreement:

Creation of an integrated car manufacturing group intended

Stuttgart. The members of the management boards of both Volkswagen AG and Porsche Automobil Holding SE have been in intensive talks about the deepening of the cooperation over the past weeks. The family shareholders of Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Suttgart, have discussed the proposals resulting therefrom, with the inclusion of capital measures, this Wednesday and argued for the creation of an integrated car manufacturing group. In the final structure ten brands shall stand below an integrative leading company alongside each other, whereby the independence of al brands and explicitly also of Porsche shall be ensured.

On this basis both companies Volkswagen and Porsche intensify the talks in a joint working group with the relevant involvement of the State of Lower Saxony as largest co-shareholder as well as the employee representatives of both companies. It is the aim to develop a corresponding basis for decision-making on the future structure of the common group within the next four weeks.

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