Is Volkswagen Taking Parts Sharing Across Brands Too Far?

Besides being the world’s largest automaker with 10.7 million vehicles sold in 2017, the Volkswagen Group also has the largest brand portfolio in the automotive world.

More specifically, the companies that operate under the VW Group’s umbrella are Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, Škoda and Volkswagen, as well as Ducati motorcycles and MAN and Scania trucks.

For a cost-effective management of all those brands, more and more vehicles use shared technology, like the $60 billion MQB modular platform that currently underpins more than 25 models from Audi, Seat, Škoda and Volkswagen.

USNA1999 - 6/13/2018 11:45:39 AM

+4 Boost

Really? VW taking it too far? How about GM, FORD, TOYOTA just to name a few. How long have we been seeing Tahoes/Yukons/Escalades sharing parts? This has been the strategy ALL the auto manufacturers are using to save costs.

MDarringer - 6/13/2018 12:43:58 PM

-1 Boost

And so therefore it's virtuous?

dumpsty - 6/14/2018 1:47:48 PM

+1 Boost

GM/Ford/Chrysler almost went bust when Joe Public decided that platform-sharing wasn't becoming of real respectable global vehicle manufacturer...and a hefty US recession added to their woes as well.

But that was the common complaint about the US top 3. Their premium & luxury vehicles look too much like their mainstream lineups. Now, guess what....the notion of basic badge-engineering in today's auto industry doesn't seem like a bad idea to all for the largest auto corporations.

Hauerg - 6/14/2018 4:48:09 PM

+1 Boost

Well, if you peel off the Seat or Audi logo from certain engines you find the VW logo underneath.
Which just shows lack of style.

Something the designers of those cars are missing as well.

TheSteve - 6/13/2018 12:24:39 PM

+1 Boost

What I think VW is sharing much too freely, is emissions scandals. Here we are in 2018, nearly 3 years after Dieselgate broke (Sep'15), and members of the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) are still collecting *NEW* emissions cheat charges from authorities, VAG is still "discovering" illegal software in new vehicles, still...

And someone is nit-picking about parts sharing across brands?

vdiv - 6/13/2018 6:20:48 PM

+4 Boost

They were just fined a $100 per car by the Germans. A mosquito bite!

vdiv - 6/13/2018 6:19:57 PM

+4 Boost

I don't see the problem if the parts are designed and work properly. Economies of scale and lower replacement costs are good for everyone.

dumpsty - 6/14/2018 1:54:47 PM

+1 Boost

Although, unique brand features tend to get minimized over time.

Those same features are why many of the luxury brands have their "valuable" histories & legacies....in which they kindly charge extra for. Eventhough we don't see much of it today.

...yeah, I'm talking about you Volvo & Jaguar & Subaru.

Foncool - 6/13/2018 7:54:40 PM

+2 Boost

But but but Maserati, Alfa and Ferrari use parts that are in Fiat and Chrysler’s

dumpsty - 6/14/2018 1:58:02 PM

+1 Boost

What part(s) does any Ferrari use thats also found in a Chrysler...that's operating & actively sold today? C'mon now....

But yeah...FCA designed newer Maserati's & Alfa's with the plan to use components in new Fiats & Chryslers & Jeeps, etc.

TomM - 6/14/2018 12:35:23 PM

+1 Boost

Manufacturers have been using shard parts in cars for over 100 years. AS long as manufacturers have a stable of BRANDS - that will continue - especially in places you forget to consider - Like Air -Fuel-Oil filters - among others. For the average consumer - there is no problem - unless we are talking about the elite 1% top end almost hand made cars - BUT even those will share some parts with their stablemates.