Modern Vespa

As I big VW fan I just got this link from my wife.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_GERMANY_PORSCHE_VOLKSWAGEN?SITE=ILSPR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Apparently VW and Porsche are considering a merger.

wonder what this is going to do to the already pricey upkeep of the vw?
although they will make some cool cars together.

pricey upkeep? VW offers free scheduled maintenance like BMW.

Interesting.

Every time I hear about a Porsche, I think of my roommate back in CA. Her father left her his most prized posession, a "signal orange" Porsche 914. She still loves it to death, but it has a habit of eating wrench sockets, and last I heard it's only running on 3 cylinders (when it runs). She was planning to get it re-painted black at one point, until the Porsche club of America started giving her nasty threats about it if she did. Ah, such amusing times.

I'm a volkswagen enthusiast and I think the merger might not be such a bad thing. Especially if they share engineering with each other.

I've always wondered what a bug with a turbo 6 cylinder engine in it would be like!

Merge .... you mean like this

They've shared engineering from the beginning. Its been a nice tradeoff through the years - Porsche has received manufacturing capacity and VW has gotten engineering and design expertise.

The VW Porsche 914, the 924 and the Cayenne/Toureg/Q7 are three examples of the two companies working together.

The original Volkswagen was designed by Ferdinand Porsche.

I have a ton of VW pics, cars, models, yada, yada, and one of my prized possessions is a first run copy of the book: "Small Wonder" that tells the story of the VW Type 1.

From what I've read there's quite a bit of drama to the whole merger story.

If I understand what I've read....

seems like the 2 families that own Porsche and VW are trying to take each other out, with the Porsche family first trying to take a majority stake in the ownership of VW - causing them to go deep into debt, putting VW in the position of being able to turn the tables and take a majority stake in Porsche.

I think it would be better for Porsche to take ownership of VW. Porsche had some interesting ideas on how to improve VW top to bottom - which I think is sorely needed (did you know it takes longer to build a golf than an audi a4?).

I'm a huge fan of both manufacturers - currently own a GTI and a Jetta myself, looking to add an older 911 to the stable - if the wife will let me that is.

I wonder how the Rolls Royce portion of this will play out? The reason I say is my brother retired from the turbine division of GM, which was bought out by Allison, which was bought out by Rolls Royce, which was bought out by Volkswagen. In fact his retirement checks have both the Rolls Royce and VW emblem on them.

Let us hope they revive the 914-6, but make it right this time.

The 924 can stay dead.

You're mostly right, but there are not just two families that own both companies. And the Piech and Porsche families are more or less one in the same anyway. No idea how your brothers situation will work out, but I would imagine it will stay the same. Its worth noting that VW doesn't own all of Rolls. BMW owns the Rolls automotive brand. VW only has Bentley. Yes - that would be nice. (BTW - What was wrong with the original?) And it may come to pass with the Bluesport. There was already talk of a Porsche version before the buyout took place. It would be a tough fit though, with the Cayman and Boxster already in the line.

this is a recent development, as my 2006 didn't come with this.

Free?? You mean prepaid!

The "free" 36000 miles/3 year scheduled maintenance is for all 09 models. Just too bad if you have a TDi and most dealers put in the wrong oil and put in to much oil and ruin your engine or DPF. Check out TDiClub.com for more...

well, Ferdinand Piech (actual chairman of the supervisory board and former longtime CEO of Volkswagen) is the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche.

The Porsche stakeholders are:
25,67 % Familien Porsche-Daxer-Piëch Beteiligung GmbH
24,44 % Familie Porsche Beteiligung GmbH
23,57 % Porsche GmbH
13,16 % Ferdinand Piëch GmbH
13,16 % Hans-Michel Piëch GmbH


When the yesterday dismissed CEO of Porsche Wendelin Wedekind took over Porsche in 1992, they were some seconds before bankruptcy.
In only a couple of years he managed, that porsche became the most profitable car company in the world.

But there was danger in the air, when the european countries said, they will install CO2 limits for each car manufacturer at a fleet avarage of 120gr/km.
(Actual Porsches all have 250gr/km CO2 and more).

The only change to achieve that goal and stay producing high performance cars for Porsche was to take over another manufacturer with a large portion of smaller, less fuel consuming cars. With the heritage of the traditional bands between the two companies, they tried to take over VW and started 2005 buying a 19% stake.
To give an metaphoric example this was like an ant trying to raip an elefant and could only happen, if the Porsche and Piech families support this transaction.
Second problem is a special law for the VW company.
VW was from origin in the 3rd Reich a state run company and was privatised in 1960. To keep governmental influence a law was created that is highly questioned today but still valid. The state of lower saxonia is a 20% shareholder and no other shareholder (no matter how many shares he helds) can have a voting right of more than 20%.
Therefore even with in max 51% in January 2009, Porsche was not able to govern VW completely.

I guess the Porsche/Piech Family feared the high depts during the world beeing in economic crisis and therefore turned the merger upside down.

Regards

Some interesting insight into this, pivili, thanks! I'm not sure that introducing a $90K+ sports sedan was a good way to avoid high debt during an economic crisis!

Neither, on the VW side, is bringing the Phaeton back to the US. I'd rather see the Audi A3 coupe and the A1 over here, but I like my cars compact and sporty.

Same here. If I could get my hands on a 2-door A3 with the 3.2 VR6 and a manual (not that *@!# DSG) I would buy it today. It would be a nice replacement for my Corrado.

I test drove the '08 A3 2.0 and it wasn't all I hoped it would be. Check out the Volvo C30, which is what I wound up with. Comes in a 6 speed turbo T5, 227hp. It surprised the heck out of me when I drove it. (I got the auto because in LA we go through clutches every 2 years thanks to all the damn traffic.)

The wife is due for a new car this year. I REALLY wanted to get an A3, but wanted the 2.0T option. This year they finally decided to bring that option to north american, but DID NOT INCLUDE A MANUAL OPTION!!!!

We test drove one anyways, it felt way to sluggish. And the car felt small inside.

We test drove a GTI right afterwords - and minus the AWD - it had everything we wanted. Roomy, stick, 2.0T, and quicker than the A3. So we put our order in for a 2010 model.

And oh, if you're a Costco member, definitely take advantage of the New Car program - you will save a bundle.

Sometimes I just don't understand the thinking of the Big Wigs over there at Audi/VW when it comes to availability of cars/options in North America vs Europe.

Where is my A5 sportback!

Do you mean the 3.2? The 2.0T with a manual has been available on the car from the beginning. Its the 3.2 that you have to get with DSG.

I'm keeping quite about the fact that I've worked for VW and now I work for Audi.

Shhh.

Bill X

Nope the 2.0 , with AWD does not come with plain ol' stick.

Forgot to mention the AWD part. No point in getting an Audi if you don't get the quattro.

Well, interesting how different peoples demands are:
The only mistake i did with my TT 2.0 TFSi was buying it with the manual transmission.
Maybe after driving an automatic Mercedes SLK for 8 years, I was in fear of loosing the ability of pressing clutch and shifting gears.

bye

The DSG is fun. So is the 2.0T. I miss my corrado

Under the orders of that fella that made small 'taches unpopular

My old VW's are like old Lovers:
It wasn't always easy, but I Loved every one.
I wonder where they are now.

1979 Champagne Edition Dasher - My First Car - Green with Green Velour
1982 Scirocco - My First New Car - Same Color as the Ad below

1984 Scirocoo was my first car. Some think its ugly, I loved it.