Support At Volkswagen Over High-Performance Brands Is Up To Debate

I guess they have to debate internally about what these brands will mean to consumers as silent BEV's. Will they still pay 7 figures for a car that does not make any noise? That does not have an ICE engine. VW may feel it is best not to have to find out.

And as far as other debates go, I feel very sorry for every American this AM.

Or worse yet, will people care, or will governments allow, once self driving is the norm.

remember phaeton?

Indeed. Making a sedan that looked like a big Passat was not smart. Good for Bentley owners as many parts are shared with Conti GT's and Flying Spur's.

In the time of major changes in the way we use cars along with the Change to EVs - which may dominate in 25 years - (WE do not have the power yet for that) - The Manufacturers are looking to reduce their engineering costs first - and having to come up with Supercars that justify Million Dollar Prices - you have to supply a Million Dollar effort or sales do not last.

I expect that a Number of old names will eventually go down the drain.

In long term performance EV cars will be fine and sell to a new younger generation that grows up on family EV vehicles. Its the intermediate transitional period that creates issues and uncertainties that puts pressure on manufacturers.

Precisely that.

Bugatti is must masturbatory bullshit.

Lamborghini is probably expendable due to Porsche's sense of inadequacy that another brand may be more desirable.

Selling Lamborghini to a manufacturer like Hyundai-Kia, Ford, Toyota, or potentially even GM would be good for Lamborghini.

A Miura pulled off the C8 and an Islero born from the ashes of the C7 would be great.

Matt: Does H-K, Ford, Toyota or GM really want or need Lamborghini? I would say no.

HK desperately needs Lamborghini.

Ford is in a good place to buy a premium brand.

and so on

THere are a LOT of Brands that are probably going to go away over the next 10 years. THere are simply TOO many high end brands that have NO compelling product - and really only a few that might survive on Pure Prestige. Rolls can do that - Bentley - not so much. Ferrari is still independent enough and has a huge following = but Lamborghini is now a VW product which pulls it - and Bentley - and Bugatti back.THe more parts they share - the less likely they are to survive. I would put Land Rover/Jaguar in the same boat - just not desirable enough for a long survival. What brands will survive when FCA merges. Opel becomes a liability - because they don't need more product at that price point. Chrysler and Dodge have no real product - while the Mini-Van could survive - it may as well be a RAM product. ALfa has little chance because FCA does not have the money to keep new product in the loop. Maserati is dead It is going to be a bloodbath

And so the old fartbag is wrong again.

There are Ferrari people and there are Lamborghini people and many in these separate camps will not consider the other.