Proposal for VW/Porsche reorganization
I'm no market guru, just a common-sense kind of a guy... but I think that there's now an excellent opportunity to fix things properly.
In this proposal I am putting aside the trophy brands (Lambo, Bentley and Bugatti, is there another one?), as those aren't really significant - boutiques really. I just look at VW/Audi/Porsche. Until now, model diversification within its brand might be necessary to even out the bottom line of each particular brand. But from now on it does not make any sense, as the 3 brands do contribute directly to the same group/bottom line. Here is what I propose:
1 - VW manufactures small cars and an entry-level SUV.
2 - Audi manufactures medium and large mid-tier and luxury sedans and a luxury SUV.
3 - Porsche manufactures (strictly) sports cars: Boxster/Cayman and 911, and future sports cars TBD.
Also... as in the past, their dealers sell the 3 brands under the same roof.
This eliminates a bunch of silly models:
* no more Phaeton for VW (maybe not even Passat)
* Audi no longer sells TTs or R8s (really a modified Lambo)
* Porsche stops the Cayenne and Panamera nonsense.
Makes sense doesn't it?
In this proposal I am putting aside the trophy brands (Lambo, Bentley and Bugatti, is there another one?), as those aren't really significant - boutiques really. I just look at VW/Audi/Porsche. Until now, model diversification within its brand might be necessary to even out the bottom line of each particular brand. But from now on it does not make any sense, as the 3 brands do contribute directly to the same group/bottom line. Here is what I propose:
1 - VW manufactures small cars and an entry-level SUV.
2 - Audi manufactures medium and large mid-tier and luxury sedans and a luxury SUV.
3 - Porsche manufactures (strictly) sports cars: Boxster/Cayman and 911, and future sports cars TBD.
Also... as in the past, their dealers sell the 3 brands under the same roof.
This eliminates a bunch of silly models:
* no more Phaeton for VW (maybe not even Passat)
* Audi no longer sells TTs or R8s (really a modified Lambo)
* Porsche stops the Cayenne and Panamera nonsense.
Makes sense doesn't it?