Re: CEO Dr. Wiedeking and CFO Härter have left Porsche
The Porsche brand is the most powerful in the automotive sector. I know that Ferrari is a legend too but only a very small % of people will ever buy and experience one and hence can identify with the "cavallino". OTOH Porsche is a top brand that people can realistically aspire to owning and be involved with.
I wrote this before, but I know of at least 8 independent monthly publications from 4 countries in 3 languages that make a living out of Porsche (and they are not all, only those that I know). A good empirical indication of the attraction of the brand.
Who wouldn't like to own this jewel?
Aug 6, 2009 6:11:56 AM
I, on the other hand, continue to be very skeptical concerning all this.
The main difference between the Ferrari/fiat relationship and the VVW/ Porsche relationship, is that Fiat does not have 10 brands, and Ferrari is clearly the icing on the cake.
VW has developed (and continues to develop) Audi to compete with Porsche , and so I am not convinced that it will be as linear as some think, that Porsche will occupy a similar position to that of Ferrari within the Fiat group.
Aug 6, 2009 8:53:23 AM
The original question was “Why is VW intending to take over Porsche? why the indirect implication that VW will have nothing to gain.
My answer to this is that Porsche does have a much different and stronger image than any of the other VW brands. For example, Audi may have achieved something good with the R8s and the LM prototype successes but they will never have the allure of Porsche. If you mention Audi,the man in the street thinks of lots of A4 TDI diesels carrying families and sales representatives across Europe. Bentley and Lamborghini are also positioned differently with different clientele.
If the question was "do i prefer Porsche to have been an independent sportscar manufacturer with healthy finances?", my answer would have been an unqualified "Yes!!" But unfortunately, this possibility has evaporated long time ago.
Aug 6, 2009 9:49:39 AM
Spyderidol:
The main difference between the Ferrari/fiat relationship and the VVW/ Porsche relationship, is that Fiat does not have 10 brands, and Ferrari is clearly the icing on the cake.
FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, ??
You're right, that's just 8 brands unless I've forgotten some.
Guess FIAT needs to revive the Autobianchi and American Motors names.
fritz
fritz:
Spyderidol:
The main difference between the Ferrari/fiat relationship and the VVW/ Porsche relationship, is that Fiat does not have 10 brands, and Ferrari is clearly the icing on the cake.
FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, ??
You're right, that's just 8 brands unless I've forgotten some.
Guess FIAT needs to revive the Autobianchi and American Motors names.
+ Abarth + Iveco = 10
Blueflame
Aug 6, 2009 2:00:48 PM
fritz:
Spyderidol:
The main difference between the Ferrari/fiat relationship and the VVW/ Porsche relationship, is that Fiat does not have 10 brands, and Ferrari is clearly the icing on the cake.
FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, ??
You're right, that's just 8 brands unless I've forgotten some.
Guess FIAT needs to revive the Autobianchi and American Motors names.
the last three are a very recent addition.
Also - not exactly a threat to Ferrari, are they?
Spot the jewel in the crown!
Aug 6, 2009 2:48:26 PM
Aug 6, 2009 4:04:24 PM
dan996:
What about the fact that Piech has influence and control of VW + Porsche can now control the Porsche cousins that threw him out 30-40 years ago. Revenge is a strong motive. Just something to think about.
IMO these things are exaggerated in the Press because they appeal to the readers. Kind of real life sagas like in TV serials.
dan996:
What about the fact that Piech has influence and control of VW + Porsche can now control the Porsche cousins that threw him out 30-40 years ago. Revenge is a strong motive. Just something to think about.
FWIW, when Porsche / Piech family members were removed from the day-to-day management of the company back then, those same cousins, including F.A. Porsche and Peter Porsche, also had to find themselves new careers outside the company.
It was not just Piech who was affected by the decision, though he may well have been the one who made it necessary for it to be arrived at.
I don't buy the theory that he wants to get revenge after all this time for that situation.
fritz
I admit to being saddened and disillusioned about Porsche no longer being an independent company. But I keep telling myself that even if Porsche and WW had "won" and bought the controlling interest in VW, Porsche would not have been "independent" in reality either.
And I am also confused about Porsche's future with VW, but only because--love him or hate him--WW seemed to always have Porsche's success and progress as his dominant goal. I don't yet see a dedicated Porsche leader/advocate emerging--I sure hope one does...
Aug 7, 2009 5:37:40 AM
To me the problem isn't so much whether Porsche is ownd by VW or is independent (I except the argument that it would be difficult for an medium sized Independant company to survive in the future). What I'm really struggling with is that there seems to be no clear brand positioning for Porsche within the group. I just don't know what to expect, and that makes me nervous.
Aug 7, 2009 10:40:04 PM
It's not news, just witness how Piech keep pushing the the value brand VW upmarket and borderline crowding Audi. Seat and Skoda are also pretty much in the same bracket, so is Lambo and Bentley.
Bentley has a racing heritage, Lambo is known as THE sports car that's not Ferrari, but no Piech prefer to have his baby Audi be the racing brand.
Do you guys seriously think Piech is going to be good for Porsche?
Aug 8, 2009 12:10:43 AM
when i tried to look for something good about this news , i found thaat maybe its good for porsche to be dependant , as we saw , 4x4 ! , then 4 doors sedan ... where are they going after that ? commercial busses or truck ? ... porsche should be only pure sport car , 911 and maybe limited panameras ( to sustain its exclusivity ) .
So my point is VW may stop this expansion .
not sure if im 1% right .
"alfa corse"