Porsche becomes a controlling minority through an increased stake in the VW brand

[Deutsch]

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is intending to acquire a further 3.9 per cent of the ordinary shares of Volkswagen AG. To this end, the company has filed an application to the German Federal Cartel Office to request its approval of the planned increase of its stake. Acquisition of the shares would increase the sports car manufacturer’s holding in VW from the present 21.2 per cent to 25.1 per cent of the voting rights, meaning that it would obtain a controlling minority in the Group.

The Stuttgart company anticipates that the Cartel Office will approve its plans without delay. Porsche would be able to implement the intended stock purchase as soon as approval is granted. Notwithstanding, a decision as to when the measures to increase its stake will be put into place has not yet been made.

Porsche AG has been contemplating raising its stake since autumn 2005. In order to prevent any price risks, the company has concluded forward-rate agreements, which enable the ordinary shares to be purchased at a fixed price. Even without exercising this option, the sports car manufacturer is the largest single shareholder in Volkswagen AG.

GO

6/23/2006

http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutporsche/pressreleases/pag/?pool=international-de&id=2006-06-23

With this news, a VAG fan can only dream of further collaboration between Porsche engineers and engineers from both Wolfsburg and Ingolstadt. Possibilities are endless... Perhaps one day Porsche will anchor the VW brand as part of it's product portfolio, a huge risk, but one that the board may see as worthy, especially since the linkage the two brands had in the past.

 

[donau]

From a historical perspective, this feels good.
Remains to be seen how the business end turns out. On balance
I think Ferdinand Piech did more good than bad, regardless of
what kind of person he was to work for.

But, yes, I agree with you Deutsch, the possibilities seem abundant
and potential is mind boggling.

 

[Deutsch]

The RS2 was supposedly a killer car, and from the looks of it it very well still could be. Porsche had a hand in the development of the RS2, I'm sure Audi wouldn't mind a hand in a few key areas of engineering with new products. This shall be very very interesting.

 

[donau]

The RS2 was supposedly a killer car, and from the looks of it it very well still could be. Porsche had a hand in the development of the RS2, I'm sure Audi wouldn't mind a hand in a few key areas of engineering with new products. This shall be very very interesting.

Agreed....

 

[Mr. M]

I'm glad this has happened. This presents unlimited opportunities for both VW and Porsche.

Nonetheless... Whether VW will venture into luxury again is a big question.

 

[Deutsch]

Nonetheless... Whether VW will venture into luxury again is a big question.

They will, just this time with a different product plan. They have a few hurdles to get through first, and that includes making the U.S. a more affordable and profitable market.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I knew it, it was all part of the master plan.

The Porsche family was pissed off when, after WW II they lost control of KDF/VW, due the allied dispositions.

Who would have belived that their little pocket comany manufacturer of rebadged VW Bettles will one own a nice and ever increasing chunck of VW shares.

I won't be suprised if one day Porsche will swallow VW AG.
Not quite likely in the short term, but not an imposibility either, on the long term.

 

[Yperion]

With a hostile takeover of VW from a bigger (Ford, GM) or wealthier (Toyota) company being a posibility, Piech's family reacted well and managed to ensure that the fate of VW will remain in German hands. Well done i have to say.

VW , Audi , SEAT , Skoda , Bentley, Lamborghini , Bugatti and now Porsche all together. The empire strikes back.

 

[Deutsch]

With a hostile takeover of VW from a bigger (Ford, GM) or wealthier (Toyota) company being a posibility, Piech's family reacted well and managed to ensure that the fate of VW will remain in German hands. Well done i have to say.

VW , Audi , SEAT , Skoda , Bentley, Lamborghini , Bugatti and now Porsche all together. The empire strikes back.

I'll toast to that.

 

[donau]

.....VW , Audi , SEAT , Skoda , Bentley, Lamborghini , Bugatti and now Porsche all together. .....

Quite incredible for one company to own all those great marques. At the exotics end, they have a sizeable chunk of the total exotics market.