Automobile concern Volkswagen. Car brands - who belongs to whom Wv groups

To a person who is not particularly interested in cars, it may seem that there are a large number of independent automakers in the world. In fact, among car brands, one can single out giant concerns and alliances that include several automakers. So let's see who belongs to whom among car brands.

ConcernVolkswagen

The parent company of the group is VolkswagenAG. Volkswagen AG wholly owns the intermediate holding Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH, which owns the luxury car manufacturer PorscheA.G. Well, 50.73% of the shares of Volkswagen AG itself belong to the Porsche S.E. holding, owned by the Porsche and Piech families, the descendants of the company's founder Ferdinand Porsche and his sister Louise Piech. The Volkswagen Group also includes companies Audi(bought from Daimler-Benz), SEAT, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti And Lamborghini. Plus truck and bus manufacturers MAN(Volkswagen owns 55.9% of the shares) and Scania (70,94%).

CompanyToyota

President of the Japanese company Toyota Motor Corp. is Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the founder of the company. The Master Trust Bank of Japan owns 6.29% of the company's shares, Japan Trustee Services Bank 6.29%, Toyota Industries Corporation 5.81%, plus 9% treasury shares. Among Japanese manufacturers, Toyota owns the largest number of brands: Lexus(the company was created by Toyota itself as a manufacturer of luxury cars), Subaru, Daihatsu , Scion(cars with youth design for sale in the USA) and hino(produces trucks and buses).

CompanyHonda

Another Japanese automaker Honda owns only one brand, and then created by Honda itself for the production of luxury cars - Acura.

ConcernPeugeot-Citroen


Image with PSA Peugeot

The concern is the second largest automaker in Europe after Volkswagen. The largest shareholders of the concern are the Peugeot family - 14% of the shares, the Chinese automaker DongFeng - 14% and the French government - 14%. With regard to the relationship of companies within the concern, Peugeot SA owns 89.95% of the shares of Citroen.

AllianceRenault-Nissan

The Renault-Nissan Alliance was founded in 1999 and is a strategic partnership between companies in the field of engineering development. In terms of company owners, Renault is 15.01% owned by the French government and 15% by Nissan. The share of Renault in Nissan, in turn, is 43.4%. Renault partially or wholly controls the following brands: Dacia (99,43%), SamsungMotors (80,1%), AvtoVAZ(more than 50% of shares).

Nissan controls only its division Infiniti, engaged in the production of prestigious cars, and the brand Datsun, which currently manufactures budget cars for sale in India, Indonesia, South Africa and Russia.

ConcernGeneralMotors

The American concern General Motors currently owns the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Daewoo, GMC, holden, Opel And Vauxhall. In addition, GM's subsidiary, GM Auslandsprojekte GMBH, owns a 41.6% stake in the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture, GM-AvtoVAZ, which produces Chevrolet Niva cars.

The concern is currently controlled by the state (61% of shares). The remaining shareholders of the concern are the United Automotive Workers Union of the USA (17.5%), the Government of Canada (12%). The remaining 9.5% of the shares are owned by various large creditors.

CompanyFord

Ford is currently controlled by the Ford family and owns a 40% stake. William Ford Jr., great-grandson of the legendary Henry Ford, serves as chairman of the company's board of directors. Prior to the 2008 crisis, Ford owned brands such as Jaguar, Lincoln, Land Rover, Volvo and Aston Martin, as well as a 33% stake in the Japanese Mazda. In connection with the crisis, all brands, with the exception of Lincoln, were sold, and the share of Mazda shares was reduced to 13% (and in 2010 - to 3% in general). Jaguar and Land Rover were bought by the Indian company Tata Motors, Volvo was bought by the Chinese Geely, Aston Martin was sold to a consortium of investors, in fact, turning into an independent brand. As a result, at the moment, only the brand is owned by Ford Lincoln, which produces luxury cars.

Concernfiat

The Italian concern has collected in its collection such brands as AlphaRomeo, Ferrari, Maserati And Lancia. Plus, in early 2014, Fiat bought the American automaker outright. Chrysler along with brands Jeep, Dodge And Ram. The largest owners of the concern today are the Agnelli family (30.5% of shares) and Capital Research & Management (5.2%).

Concernbmw

In the late 50s of the last century, the Bavarian concern BMW was in big losses. At this time, one of the shareholders of BMW, industrialist Herbert Quandt, bought a large stake in the company and actually saved it from bankruptcy and sale to its eternal competitor, Daimler. The Quant family still owns 46.6% of the concern's shares. The remaining 53.3% of the company's shares are traded on the market. The group owns such brands as Rolls-Royce And MINI.

ConcernDaimler

The main shareholders of the concern are the Arab investment fund Aabar Investments (9.1%), the government of Kuwait (7.2%) and the emirate of Dubai (about 2%). Daimler produces cars under the brands Mercedes-Benz, Maybach And Smart. The concern also owns a 15% stake in the Russian truck manufacturer, the company " Kamaz».

ConcernHyundai

The largest automaker in South Korea, in addition to its own brand, also owns a 38.67% stake in the brand KIA(the company is part of the Hyundai Motor Group).

Independent automakers

Among the popular brands that are not members of any alliances, and do not own other brands, there are three Japanese automakers - Mazda, Mitsubishi And Suzuki.

However, today's realities show that it will be more and more difficult for independent automakers to survive in the future. To sell your cars worldwide, you need to have a solid "foundation", which is provided either by partners or a batch of several brands. Thirty years ago, legendary CEO Lee Iacocca, once president of Ford and chairman of Chrysler Corporation, predicted that by the turn of the 21st century, there would be only a handful of automakers left in the world.

Volkswagen Konzern (Russian Volkswagen Concern, in English sources - Volkswagen Group, sometimes VW Group - a German automobile concern (group of companies). The head (parent) company of the concern is Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, more commonly known as Volkswagen AG (formerly VAG - the abbreviation was deciphered as Volkswagen Audi Gruppe).The company's headquarters is located in the city of Wolfsburg (Wolfsburg, Germany.The company is named after the Volkswagen brand (German: Volkswagen) - "people's car". As of September 2011, 50.73% of the voting shares of Volkswagen AG belong to the holding Porsche SE In turn, Volkswagen AG owns 100% of the ordinary shares of the intermediate holding Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH, and Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH owns 100% of the shares of luxury car manufacturer Porsche AG Negotiations are underway to merge into a single structure VW-Porsche Currently Martin Winterkorn is simultaneously Chairman of the Management Board of Porsche SE and Volkswagen AG. kswagen is made up of 342 companies involved in vehicle manufacturing and related services. According to the results of 9 months of 2009, it was the world's largest car manufacturer. Ranked 14th on the Fortune Global 500 (2009). From July 1998 to December 2002, a division of the Volkswagen Bentley Group produced cars under the Rolls-Royce brand under an agreement with BMW, which acquired the rights to this brand from Vickers. Since 2003, only BMW has been able to produce cars under the Rolls-Royce brand. In December 2009, the Volkswagen Group entered into an alliance with the Japanese Suzuki, exchanging blocks of shares with the latter (the Germans received a 20% stake in Suzuki) and announcing the joint development of environmentally friendly cars. Less than two years later, in September 2011, the breakup of this alliance was announced. The divisions of the Volkswagen Group are: Volkswagen (passenger cars) - at present, the part of the concern engaged in the production of passenger cars is not registered as a subsidiary joint-stock company, but directly reports to the management of Volkswagen AG. Audi is the last car brand of the Auto Union group, acquired from Daimler-Benz in 1964. NSU Motorenwerke - was acquired in 1969 and entered the Audi Division. Not used as an independent brand since 1977. Seat - a controlling stake in the company (53%) was acquired from the state in 1986. Since 1990, the brand has practically been the property of the Volkswagen Group, which owns 99.99% of the company's shares. Škoda - the company was acquired in 1991. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge) - was part of Volkswagen AG, but in 1995, thanks to the efforts of Bernd Weideman, the group's previous chairman, it became an independent division within the Volkswagen Group. The division is engaged in the production of commercial vehicles: minibuses, buses and tractors. Bentley, the company was acquired in 1998 from the British concern Vickers along with Rolls-Royce, but cannot independently produce cars under this brand, since the brand itself was sold to BMW. Bugatti - the brand was acquired in 1998. Lamborghini was acquired by a subsidiary of Audi in 1998. Scania AB - a controlling stake in the company (70.94%) was acquired in 2009. It produces truck tractors, trucks and dump trucks, buses and diesel engines. MAN AG - a controlling stake in the company (55.9%) was acquired in 2011. Manufacturer of truck tractors, trucks and dump trucks, buses, diesel and hybrid engines. Porsche - 49.9% of Porsche AG acquired in 2009. By 2011, a merger with parent Porsche SE was planned to create a single integrated car company, but this did not happen. The merger between Porsche and Volkswagen has been postponed indefinitely. And finally, in 2012, the Volkswagen Group completed the acquisition of Porsche, which made it the 12th brand in the German group. The deal was closed after Volkswagen acquired a 50.1 percent stake in Porsche, which cost the concern 4.49 billion euros and one of its ordinary shares. The Volkswagen Group is one of the largest shareholders of the Japanese company Suzuki Motor Corporation. Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. - one of the leading manufacturers of premium motorcycles, acquired by a division of the Volkswagen Group - Audi AG - on April 18, 2012 from Investindustrial SpA for $ 1.1 billion. Also, as of 2013, Volkswagen is the owner of the Russian trademark "Moskvich". The right to use the brand and all emblems remains with Volkswagen until 2021. In March 1991, in order to optimize the organizational structure, Volkswagen forms an internal division called Volkswagen Finanz, which in January 1994 becomes independent within the group as a closed joint-stock company Volkswagen Financial Services. 100% of the share capital belongs to the Volkswagen Group. As a banking and financial structure, Volkswagen Financial Services gains access to international financial markets and the opportunity to finance projects on favorable terms. The Group's financial division, Volkswagen Financial Services, is currently the largest financial operator in the automotive market in Europe, headquartered in Braunschweig. The assets of Volkswagen Financial Services as of December 31, 2009 amounted to more than 60.2 billion euros. Volkswagen Financial Services employs more than 5,000 people worldwide, including 3,600 employees based in Germany itself. The division is engaged in: financing of production and purchase of cars for private and corporate clients (Volkswagen Bank); provision of banking services to private and corporate clients (Volkswagen Bank direct/Audi Bank direct); providing insurance services to private and corporate clients (Volkswagen Bank GmbH/Volkswagen-Versicherungsdienst: Volkswagen Bank, Audi Bank, Seat Bank, Škoda Bank); provision of leasing services to private and corporate clients (Volkswagen Leasing); fleet management (Volkswagen Leasing/LeasePlan Corporation); In 2010, the Volkswagen Group's revenue amounted to €57.243 billion, net profit - €1.55 billion In 2009, despite the global crisis and the general decline in car sales, the company managed to increase car sales worldwide by 0.6%. This is a sales record, which reached the level of 6.23 million vehicles. In 2006, the concern sold 5.72 million vehicles worth €104.9 billion (net profit for this period amounted to €2.75 billion). More than 370 thousand people work at the Group's enterprises. In 2005, the concern produced 5219.5 thousand and sold 5192.6 thousand cars. 7.5% of sales came from Germany, 44.7% from Europe, 15% from North America, 6.6% from Asia Pacific, 4.4% from South America and 1.8% from Africa. Revenue in 2005 amounted to €95.3 billion, an increase of 7% compared to 2004, net profit - €1.12 billion (€697 million in 2004). Production The Volkswagen Group owns 48 automotive manufacturing plants in 15 European countries and six countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. More than 370 thousand people work at the enterprises of the group, more than 26`600 cars are produced daily, authorized sales and car servicing are carried out in more than 150 countries of the world. Plans for a corporate merger between Porsche AG and Volkswagen were unveiled in May 2009. Negotiations are suspended at this stage due to lack of clarity about Porsche's financial position. Volkswagen Group in Russia On May 29, 2006 Volkswagen Group signed an investment agreement with the administration of the Kaluga Region and the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia on the construction of an automobile plant near the city of Kaluga, in the technopark Grabtsevo. At the end of July 2007, the EBRD, which is one of the project's lenders, estimated the total cost of the project, including the cost of organizing the production of components, at 1.042 billion euros. Initially, the plant, opened on November 28, 2007, produced Škoda Octavia cars in the amount of no more than 20 thousand cars per year using SKD technology (Semi Knocked Down - assembling cars from large blocks or “large-scale assembly”). In October 2009, the plant launched a full-fledged CKD (Completely Knocked Down) car assembly line - a complete assembly of a car from finished parts, including body welding. First, Škoda Octavia and Volkswagen Tiguan were produced using the CKD method, in 2010 Škoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo sedan, specially designed for the Russian market, were launched. It is expected that after the opening of a new production facility, the plant will be able to produce up to 150,000 vehicles per year (including the Audi A4, A5, Q5, A6 and Q7 - all using the SKD method). The number of employees at the plant in 2010 will be increased to 3 thousand people On January 12, 2009, a reorganization took place in the form of the merger of two Russian subsidiaries. Volkswagen Group Rus LLC was joined by Volkswagen Rus LLC. The first was registered in Moscow in 1999 (until 2003 it was called Volkswagen Group Automobiles LLC) and was an import structure that manages sales and after-sales service for cars. The second one was established in 2006 in Kaluga to manage a new plant where Volkswagen and Škoda cars are assembled. According to the company, the merger will simplify the coordination between Kaluga and Moscow, and will also allow to combine personnel and finances. Dietmar Korzekwa (since 2010 - Markus Ozegowicz) became the CEO of the new structure. In October 2009, SKD assembly of the following models was carried out at the plant in Kaluga: Skoda Octavia, Octavia Combi, Octavia Tour, Octavia RS, Octavia Scout, Škoda Superb, Škoda Roomster, Škoda Fabia, Škoda Fabia Combi, Škoda Yeti, Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Passat CC, Volkswagen Tiguan, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Touareg, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen T5, Volkswagen T5 lang, Volkswagen Caddy and Volkswagen Caddy maxy. Since 2012, Volkswagen has also started producing cars at the GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod. The cooperation agreement with the Russian GAZ Group was signed on June 14, 2011. Production of Volkswagen Jetta, Skoda Octavia and Škoda Yeti brands is planned in Nizhny Novgorod. At the beginning of 2013, the production of a full cycle of Skoda Yeti was mastered in Nizhny Novgorod. Other models are coming soon. At the end of October 2009, Volkswagen Group Rus LLC announced that it was working on a project for a budget B-class sedan, created on the basis of the Polo hatchback specifically for the Russian market. In early June 2010, it became known about the practical readiness of the car, called the Volkswagen Polo sedan. The car was put into production at the plant in Kaluga in the summer of 2010.

The Volkswagen concern is known all over the world. This is indeed the largest group of companies involved in the production of cars. The parent company (or, as they say, the parent company) is located in Wolfsburg and is called, as everyone knows, Volkswagen AG. Well, this concern has a very rich and long history and a lot of interesting facts. So it is worth talking about it in more detail.

Porsche and Volkswagen

So, the headquarters of this concern is located in Germany, in Wolfsburg. The company was named "Volkswagen", which means "people's car" in German. To date, about half of the shares are owned by such a holding as Porsche SE. Nevertheless, the Volkswagen concern owns all one hundred percent of the ordinary shares of the intermediate holding, which is called Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH. In general, in fact, "Porsche" is the car that produces "Volkswagen". Today, management companies are negotiating to combine the firms into a single structure, which could be called VW-Porsche. It is also interesting that Martin Winterkorn (a fairly well-known personality in the automotive world) until September 2015 served as chairman of the board of both Volkswagen and Porsche.

But that is not all. Today, the Volkswagen Group consists of 342 companies that produce cars and provide services related to this area. It is the largest car manufacturer in the world. And of course, the undisputed leader of the European car market. 25% of the cars that drive on the roads of the continent are produced by Volkswagen.

About history

The Volkswagen concern begins its history in 1937. The founder of the company is Ferinand Porsche. It was he who created the so-called Society for the preparation of Volkswagen mbH. And in 1938, they began to build the first Volkswagen plant. Of course, it was in Wolfsburg. In addition to the automotive industry, the plant was engaged in another type of activity. The Volkswagen AG concern then provided logistics and financial services. And besides that, he had a small food business.

In the 1990s, the company began to experience major difficulties. There were some serious financial problems. But thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of Ferdinand Piech, everything worked out. In fact, this man saved Volkswagen. The concern switched to a 4-day working week, began to follow an offensive policy and began to develop at an even faster pace. In the end, the company managed to acquire just a huge number of popular brands.

Rolls Royce and Suzuki

From 1998 to 2002, the Volkswagen automobile concern was engaged in the production of cars such as Rolls-Royce. All people know about these luxurious models, even those who are not familiar with the auto world. This topic is quite interesting. A division of the Volkswagen Bentley group was engaged in the production of these cars under an agreement with another company - BMW. Why? But because the Munich company bought from such a concern as Vickers, the rights to this brand. And since 2003, only BMW has the right to manufacture and produce cars with the eminent Rolls-Royce emblem.

In 2009, the Volkswagen Group stepped even further - it entered into an alliance with a company such as Suzuki. The firms exchanged blocks of shares (German manufacturers got 20% of Suzuki's shares) and announced the joint development of so-called ecological machines. But in 2011, the alliance broke up, which was announced to the world.

2015 scandal

In September of the current year, 2015, a worldwide scandal broke out around Volkswagen. The concern was accused of the fact that the program that the developers used in the on-board computers they produce determined one important moment. Namely, in what mode the machine works - in normal or in test mode. This program was started in cars with diesel power units. Including VW Jetta, Audi A3, Golf, Passat, Beetle. When testing began, the car automatically switched to an environmentally friendly mode of operation. A very smart and thoughtful system, I must say. However, this turned out to be a huge disaster for the concern and financial costs.

The Environmental Protection Agency said that for absolutely every car that does not meet US standards, the company will have to pay a fine of 37.5 thousand dollars. It turns out a fabulous amount. After all, since 2008 the concern has sold 482,000 cars. And the total amount of fines can reach 18 billion! To date, half a million of its vehicles have been recalled from the United States. This is also a loss. The chairman of the company, Martin Winterkorn, apologized publicly after the incident and said that he would definitely support the investigation. By the way, the ministry is engaged in it. After that, Martin retired after more than a dozen years working at Volkswagen.

Acquired companies before 2000

So, it is worth talking in more detail about what is included in the Volkswagen concern. Naturally, the main part of it is the Volkswagen company, which produces cars. The company is not formalized as a “daughter” of the parent concern, but is a division directly reporting to the management of VW AG.

In 1964, the company "Audi" was attached to this structure. It was purchased from Daimler-Benz. Next after Audi was a company such as NSU Motorenwerke. She was bought in 1969. This brand has not been used as an independent brand for a long time - since 1977. And before that, the company produced motorcycles and cars.

They took over the Spanish brand Seat, which has existed since 1950. Volkswagen owns 99.99% of the company's shares. The most interesting models began to appear after Seat joined the German structure. For example, SEAT Bocanegra with a 180-horsepower engine, which was designed by Lamborghini specialists.

In 1991, the company acquired the Czech Škoda, and then returned to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This company was once part of VW AG, but in 1995 it became an independent brand. Or rather, a division. Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini - these brands are known all over the world today. And these are concerns owned by Volkswagen since 1998. That year was a shock year for the company. After all, these cars are considered one of the most popular, well-known and actively bought by people.

Acquired firms after 2000

The Volkswagen Group continued to acquire shares further. In 2009, he bought almost 71% of Scania AB. This production is engaged in the development and production of dump trucks, buses, trucks, truck tractors and diesel engines. Another company, MAN AG, bought in 2011, produces all of the above, as well as hybrid powertrains in addition. VW AG owns 55.9% of the company's shares.

Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A and ItalDesign Giugiaro are two other manufacturers bought by Volkswagen. The first of these companies is one of the leading manufacturers of premium motorcycles. And the second is a studio engaged in the design of cars. Interestingly, 90% of the shares of this company in 2010 were bought by the Lamborghini holding. So Volkswagen was already the owner of the studio, but after the paperwork was completed, it also became the official owner.

And one more interesting information. VW AG acquired the Russian Aleko in 2013 (it was under this TM that the well-known cheap Moskviches were sold for some time). The right to use this brand and any emblems belongs to the German concern until 2021.

Financial questions

In 1991, in March, in order to optimize the organizational structure, the German concern decided to form an internal division that would deal with financial issues. It was named Volkswagen Finanz. In 1994 it became a closed joint stock company. This banking and financial structure gets full access to international financial markets, as well as the opportunity to finance on very favorable terms. This division deals with important issues. For example, financing the development, production and purchase of machines for corporate and individual customers. It also provides banking, leasing and insurance services to these individuals. In general, useful activity and, most importantly for the company, profitable.

About profit

And a couple of interesting facts in the end. In 2010, VW AG made a huge amount of money, amounting to 57.243 billion euros! But out of all this, the net profit turned out to be only 1.55 billion. It seems small compared to the revenue. However, this is actually a lot of money. After all, all expenses that go to almost 350 companies are taken into account. Because the profit is really solid. Therefore, it is not surprising that Volkswagen is by far the largest, richest and most famous company.

In the automotive world, we are surrounded by just a bunch of abbreviations related to cars. But often the reductions concern companies and concerns. One of these abbreviations that has been around for a long time is VAG! Some say that this is another name for VOLKSWAGEN, others call VAG all German cars (including Mercedes and BMW). But how does it really work? It turns out it's simple...


Let's start as usual with a definition.

VAG - this is an abbreviation for Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft (the second word in the name means "joint stock company"), the abbreviation is Volkswagen AG (because Aktiengesellschaft is a difficult word to pronounce and it was replaced with an abbreviation). In turn, the word Volkswagen is also abbreviated, hence the VAG.

In the “people”, VAG is deciphered as Volkswagen - AUDI Group, but this is not at all correct. However, the manufacturer himself does not confirm such a reduction, but he does not deny it either, that is, this is not an official name, but, let's say, “folk”!

What is the official name?

For a given period of time, there is an official company name, it's just - Volkswagen Konzern- German (translation - "Volkswagen Concern"). However, in English-language sources, Volkswagen Group, sometimes VW Group. Translated simply - the Volkswagen group of companies.

So how many brands are included?

If we take 2011, then approximately 50.73% of VAG shares belonged to the PORSCHE holding. BUT VAG owns 100% of shares in the intermediate holding Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH, which in turn owns the right to manufacture prestigious cars PORSCHE AG. It turns out that the company is, as it were, closed on itself.

However, for a given period of time, this concern includes a lot of other brands, such as:

  • Volkswagen itself. It is mainly engaged in the production of passenger cars.
  • AUDI. It was purchased from Daimler-Benz in 1964.
  • NSU Motorenwerke is a manufacturer of motorcycles. Purchased in 1969.
  • SEAT is a passenger car manufacturer.
  • SKODA - bought in 1991
  • Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles - Engaged in the production of minibuses, buses, tractors.
  • BENTLEY - purchased in 1998
  • ROLLS ROYCE.
  • BUGATTI - purchased in 1998
  • Lamborghini - bought in 1998
  • Scania AB - owns a controlling stake (about 71%). Tractors, dump trucks, trucks, buses, as well as diesel engines are produced.
  • MAN AG - a controlling stake (about 56%), purchased in 2011. They also produce special equipment - tractors, dump trucks, trucks, buses, diesel and hybrid power plants.
  • Porsche
  • DUCATI Motor Holding S.p.A - purchased in 2012, is engaged in the production of premium motorcycles.
  • ItalDesign Giugiaro - 90.1% of the shares, bought in 2010, are developing auto design for new models, as well as restyling old ones.
  • SUZUKI Motor Corporation - owns a large stake.
  • Trademark "ALEKO" - under which the well-known "MOSKVICH" was sold, the rights to the brand belong to 2021.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, the concern itself consists of 342 companies that manufacture cars, motorcycles, special equipment, engines, etc. In 2009, it was the world's largest corporation engaged in the production of vehicles. And of course, it holds the lead in the European market for a given period of time, from 25 to 30% of all sales are occupied by cars of this brand.

Actually, that's all for today, I think the article is really useful to you. Sincerely yours AUTOBLOGGER.

Volkswagen is currently the largest car manufacturer in Europe and the second largest in the world.

Today, the German group, which once started with the production of ultra-budget "Beetles", offers products for any buyer. All this thanks to the unification of several brands under a single management.

The group's corporate portfolio includes eight legendary brands, most of which were in a difficult financial situation at one time. The companies were forced to make an alliance with the German manufacturer as it was a matter of their survival.

Volkswagen

The brand was founded by Adolf Hitler in 1938. Today it specializes in the mass segment. The most famous models: Golf, Passat, Polo, Tiguan.

Audi

Specializing in the premium segment. The brand was merged with Volkswagen in 1964. The most famous models: A4, A6, R8. In 1993, the management company Audi AG acquired the Ducati and Lamborghini brands, while remaining the property of Volkswagen.

Porsche

Specializes in premium and super premium segments. Although he was one of the founders of the first Volkswagen plant, the company he created joined the German giant only in 2007. Today the allies are each other's mutual shareholders. The most famous models: Cayenne, Panamera.

Bentley

In 1929, the English manufacturer of premium cars was sold to Rolls-Royce. In 1997, after the financial crisis, the Rolls-Royce brand was sold to BMW, and the Bentley brand went to Volkswagen. The most famous models: Continental GT, Flying Spur.

Skoda

This brand survived the German occupation, the Soviet era and was merged with Volkswagen in 1991. Change of strategic partner allowed to increase production by 5 times. Today Skoda specializes in the mass budget segment. The most famous models: Octavia, Fabia, Yeti.

SEAT

In 1986, due to financial difficulties, the Italian concern FIAT sold a 99.9% stake in the Spanish automaker to the Volkswagen Group. Today the brand specializes in the mass segment. The most famous models: Ibiza, Leon.

Lamborghini

At the turn of the 60-70s. of the last century, the Italian sports car manufacturer has changed hands several times. In 1998, the brand was bought by Audi AG and ended up under the wing of Volkswagen. The most famous models: Aventador, Huracan.

Bugatti

In 1956, this legendary brand actually ceased to exist. In the late 80s, the Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli revived production and in 1998 sold the asset to the Volkswagen concern. Today the brand specializes in the super premium segment. The most famous model: Veyron.

What other companies belong to Volkswagen

  • MAN– manufacturer of trucks, truck tractors, dump trucks, buses, hybrid and diesel engines;
  • Scania– manufacturer of trucks, truck tractors, dump trucks, buses and diesel engines;
  • Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles– manufacturer of commercial vehicles (buses, minibuses, tractors);
  • Ducati Motor– motorcycle manufacturer;
  • ItalDesign Giugiaro- car design studio

For some time there were rumors about Volkswagen's intention to buy the Italian-American alliance Fiat-Chrysler in order to become the world's largest automaker, but this deal did not take place.

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