BOLD OR BONEHEAD? Volkswagen Considers Using Ford As Development Arm Rather Than Audi

Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess will outline a 10-year plan on Nov. 16 to slash research costs by working with rivals, a step which would sideline Audi as the group’s leading development center.

The chief executive will present his plan at a meeting of the German carmaker’s supervisory board, two sources told Reuters.

It will explore potential alliances with Ford and others to develop autonomous and electric vehicles (EVs). If approved by the board, it would signal a major departure from VW’s standalone efforts to build them and diminish Audi’s importance as an engineering hub.

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PUGPROUD - 11/5/2018 3:20:45 PM

-1 Boost

While saving and sharing development costs is a good idea, I believe the huge dieselgate payments and expenses ($50+ billion) and Audi's role (loss of confidence within VW and interdivisional squabbling) play a major role in VW looking to the outside and away from Audi.

Foncool - 11/5/2018 3:41:48 PM

0 Boost

As more of this type of development cost sharing happens in the next 5 to 10 years, people will look back and realize what a visionary Marchionne was.

MDarringer - 11/5/2018 10:22:38 PM

+2 Boost

Dream on.

MrEE - 11/5/2018 6:30:41 PM

+3 Boost

That is a vote of confidence in their upcoming EV platforms.

MDarringer - 11/5/2018 10:22:26 PM

+2 Boost

What is it that Audi actually engineers?? Diesel cheat devices? What does Audi contribute to premium VWAG vehicles? Nothing really. Porsche is the brain trust NOT Audi.

bw5011 - 11/8/2018 11:45:36 AM

+1 Boost

blah blah blah as usual MDarringer

bperlownps - 11/6/2018 2:52:11 AM

+2 Boost

Audis are pretty much gussied up VWs or crippleware Lamborghinis. Porsche is engineering excellence of the group. VW-FORD partnership is a good idea. Having more standardized tech for mass production isn't a bad thing. Maybe they can chip in on some Tesla charging stations as a standard too. That's one thing they have done right,even if you hate Tesla.

bw5011 - 11/8/2018 11:46:41 AM

+1 Boost

yeah worked out well for Jaguar. lol

PUGPROUD - 11/6/2018 5:35:16 AM

+1 Boost

I agree that Porsche is the brain trust but VW higher ups a couple years back put Audi in charge of SUV and sedan platform development which are now the undercarriage for Porsche sedans and SUV's, Lambo's SUV, etc. This has created significant in fighting between VW divisions because of disagreements on hard body points, weight,and performance. Porsche engineers in particular are angry at having it taken away from them.

MDarringer - 11/6/2018 8:39:50 AM

-1 Boost

For its price point, the Cayenne should use weight reducing design and weight 1000 pounds less than it does. Why is the pointless A8 aluminum but the Porsche crossovers not?

MrEE - 11/7/2018 6:53:59 PM

+2 Boost

VW turning to Ford, is like MB turning to Chrysler in the past. Will be an act of desperation for both and end in failure.

bw5011 - 11/8/2018 11:50:44 AM

+1 Boost

VW should only do this if they are serious about pick-ups. Ford makes shitting SUV's and cars (expect the performance Focus and Mustang). This will probably go nowhere.