Volkswagen Takes Steps To Gobble Up 20% Of Suzuki As Early As Next Week

Volkswagen AG plans to take a stake of up to 20 percent in Suzuki Motor Corp, providing Suzuki with a much-needed development partner and giving VW access to better small car technology.

Three sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations told Reuters of the impending deal. One said German group VW's stake could "easily" rise to a controlling holding of more than one-third in future.

"An announcement could come as early as this week," the source said. "This is the first step."

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Agent009 - 12/8/2009 1:27:52 PM

+2 Boost

Suzuki is sort of a misfit in the Japanese automotive. Big enough to establish a presence but too small to survive among the giants without a brother helping out. This is welcome news for them, but I am not really sure how they fit in to VW global scheme.

Agent009 - 12/8/2009 3:20:20 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah but VW already has industrial trucks and models over here bearing the Suzuki badge are Fiats. So I guess you can educate me on what specifically.

tango - 12/8/2009 11:10:53 PM

+1 Boost

"Gobbling" is usually followed by "choking". VW should proceed with caution and in doing so, slow their roll. When it becomes the Number 1 manufacturer in the world, the only thing that can happen is that it becomes the Number TWO manufacturer in the world. It will eventually happen. VW bosses have stated that they are interested in adding a motorcycle manufacturer to their stables, but were initially considering Ducati. Getting Suzuki would capture the dream of making micro-cars and motorcycles in one gulp (keeping in the theme of this argument). BMW and Peugeot both make bikes in Europe and it would be at least interesting to see the VW logo on one as well. I envision a machine that is all new and akin to the Triumph Daytona 675. Please...pretty please?