How Long Until Number One? Volkswagen Becomes More Aggressive In Quest For Global Domination

As Europe wallows in economic doldrums, at least one native son is thriving. Germany's Volkswagen AG, which has its sights set on becoming the world's top auto firm before the decade is out, is making headway. Across a broad range of businesses, the company's aggressive expansion plans are bearing fruit and the Greek dynamics of the firm's controlling families have settled down. The woes of its global rivals haven't hurt, either.

VW is already global champ of the bottom line, with an operating profit of nearly $15 billion last year and a goal to match that amount this year. Martin Winterkorn, chief executive, said "the unbroken automotive boom is providing additional tailwinds for our growth plans," referring to stronger sales in emerging markets, rather than in Europe where auto makers are struggling. Winterkorn drew a salary of 17.5 million Euros ($22.8 million) in 2011, more than double the year before -- and more than any chief executive of all companies listed on the DAX, Germany's main stock index. VW sold 8.27 million vehicles globally in 2011, up from 6.29 million the year before.

 

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MercedesSL - 3/19/2012 1:32:44 PM

+3 Boost

They must be the biggest already, 009 posted 5 articles today and 3 are about VW.

Must be the only manufacture making news(when 009 is around).

CarCrazedinCali - 3/19/2012 2:08:15 PM

+3 Boost

Seems like the last time I heard an auto manufacturer trying to become the top dog in the world markets, they had a less than desirable quality control issues begin to surface. Be careful VW, bigger is not always better. BMW has the right idea, to remain the most sustainable company which they have been awarded many years in a row all while being profitable and putting out product that sells and leads the pack.