Volkswagen remains in control amidst possible Porsche take over
Forbes.com recently reported that the chief executive of Volkswagen, Martin Winterkorn, said the company will still be an independent body if Porsche AG takes over.
According to Winterkorn, “Volkswagen is one of the most well-known and desirable brands in the world.”
“It represents immense value.”
Last September, Porsche chief executive Wendelin Wiedeking, stated that the company has ample funds to acquire a larger share in Volkswagen and increase its present 50 percent share.
Winterkorn however stated that its relationship with Porsche may get better as they may work together in developing some car parts like automotive electronics. “Automotive electronics are an interesting division with high potential for synergies,” he said. “Electronics will soon account for 30 percent of a car’s cost, and the development costs are relatively high,” he added. Winterkorn also said that using similar technology on more cars can help reduce production costs.
Commenting on the recent EU Court of Justice illegal ruling of the Volkswagen, Winterkorn later said that Volkswagen has no reason to be alarmed. This “Volkswagen law” pertains to the rule that a shareholder only gets a maximum of 20 percent voting rights in spite of how large the shares.
Meanwhile, Winterkorn confirmed Volkswagen’s plans increasing its vehicle line of SUVs, vans and off-road vehicles. According to him, the modular building blocks used to design cars are to be thanked for, saying, “We have entirely new opportunities to make niche models at low cost and with very good profit margins.”
This story is based on the report by Forbes.com