Lamborghini’s upcoming hybrid and electric models will use Volkswagen Group’s platforms, making it vital for expanding the Group’s high-performance EV capabilities. SEAT, headquartered in Spain, targets younger buyers with sporty, stylish, and affordable cars. However, Volkswagen has repositioned the SEAT brand towards urban mobility, while pushing CUPRA as a stand-alone performance brand. CUPRA models are built on Volkswagen Group platforms (like MQB and MEB for EVs) but tuned for sportiness.
BMW is a German company, while Volkswagen is a German-owned company based in Wolfsburg, Germany. The company was founded in 1916 by Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto, and it is now one of the world’s leading luxury automakers. This difference in ownership has led to some confusion among consumers, who often wonder if BMW and Volkswagen are actually the same company. Ultimately, the consensus seems to be that both sides got what they wanted out of these brands when they battled to acquire it in 1998. VW got a sporty brand that could scale, which it has done; BMW got a limousine brand which was not designed to be scalable but to really create a layer above its premium positioning. That explained the difference in pricing – BMW spent £50m on the brand and then some £100m on building the new factory, compared with the £430m VW spent buying a going concern.
IPerformance models are designed to offer improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, while still delivering the driving pleasure BMW is known for. Notable models include the BMW R 1250 GS, BMW S 1000 RR, and BMW F 900 R. The brand has a strong reputation for performance, safety, and innovation, and it is a major player in the premium motorcycle market. BMW Motorrad has also expanded into electric motorcycles, including the BMW C Evolution electric scooter, aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainable transportation solutions. Ownership of these automotive companies is held by a variety of shareholders, including institutional investors, private stakeholders, and government entities. Volkswagen’s largest stakeholder is the State of Lower Saxony, which holds a significant minority share—around 20%—and has voting rights that influence major corporate decisions.
However, the company began to catch fire (sometimes literally) with the introduction of the full electric Model S sedan in 2012, and the rest, as they say, is history. The company also maintains a network of public Superchargers for Tesla owners and sells industrial battery packs. The Japanese company formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries sells cars in the U.S. under the Subaru brand. In addition to its line of all-wheel-drive cars and SUVs, it offers the BRZ sports car that was developed in partnership with Toyota. Subaru, by the way, is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster M45, which is also the inspiration for the automaker’s logo (thanks Wikipedia). Renault and Nissan originally became strategic partners in 1999, and today the entity controls 10 separate auto brands worldwide.
It’s famed for its low-slung exotic automobiles with mid-engines and rear-wheel drive. With the debut of the Lamborghini Urus with a twin-turbo V-8, it has also progressed from sports cars to luxury sport crossovers. The Volkswagen Group claims the German brand, which is arranged in Stuttgart. Auto Union converged with NSU Motorenwerke, an organization noted for cruisers, minimal vehicles, and rotational motors, after a year. Audi was a different brand when the new business, Audi NSU Auto Union AG, was established on January 1, 1969. The Volkswagen Group’s headquarters are in Wolfsburg, Germany, however many of its brands have offices around the world and report to the parent company.
Daihatsu – Founded 1907
In today’s is bmw owned by volkswagen globalised market, it is becoming increasingly common for car brands to be owned by multinational corporations or luxury conglomerate companies. Understanding the parent company behind a car brand can provide valuable insight into the brand’s history, future plans, and the larger industry as a whole. It originated in Germany and was established after World War II, with the goal of revitalizing the German automotive industry. Today, it’s one of the world’s largest automakers, owning a wide array of brands including Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, and more. The ownership structure of Volkswagen is quite intricate, with the German state of Lower Saxony holding a significant stake, alongside private and institutional investors. Volkswagen’s corporate governance allows it to operate as a conglomerate of autonomous brands under a parent company that manages overall strategy and resources.
- He acquired this stake in 2018, making headlines as one of the most unexpected moves in the automotive sector.
- The largest single shareholder is the Porsche-Piëch family, which, through holding companies, maintains significant influence over Volkswagen’s major decisions.
- Bugatti, formerly a wholly owned Volkswagen brand, was spun into this partnership with Rimac, a Croatian EV hypercar manufacturer.
- After World War I, BMW transitioned into building motorcycles and then automobiles.
- Ford also owns the Lincoln premium brand, which is not sold in Australia.
However, understanding the intricate details behind their corporate structures, histories, and key stakeholders can provide clarity and dispel common misconceptions about these two automotive powerhouses. In the realm of automotive competition, Volkswagen and BMW are fierce rivals, constantly vying for market share, technological dominance, and brand prestige. However, in most cases, they’re competing head-to-head across segments, from sedans and SUVs to electric vehicles and high-performance sports cars.
The highlight of the year was the market introduction of the Audi e-tron. With its brands, the Volkswagen group brands is present in all relevant markets around the world. The key sales markets currently include Western Europe, China, the USA, Brazil, Russia, Mexico and Poland. The Automotive Division comprises the Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles and Power Engineering business areas.
- Volkswagen, on the other hand, is also publicly traded, with a diverse ownership structure, including large shares held by the Porsche and Piech families.
- The M models are targeted at driving enthusiasts and those looking for an elevated driving experience with improved performance and speed.
- With a strong brand portfolio and massive global reach, BMW is not just a carmaker—it’s a symbol of innovation and prestige.
- The Volkswagen Group also owns numerous other car brands, including Bentley, Bugatti, Porsche, and Lamborghini.
Ola Källenius – Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO)
While no single entity holds full control, the company operates with a balanced structure that blends shareholder interest, executive vision, and employee input. Mercedes-Benz remains a symbol of luxury and innovation under the umbrella of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. The team is headquartered in Brackley, UK, and has won eight Constructors’ Championships between 2014 and 2021. The F1 team serves as a platform for performance R&D, brand prestige, and cutting-edge engineering innovation. Based in Stuttgart, Mercedes-Benz Bank is one of Germany’s leading automotive banks. It offers vehicle financing, leasing, insurance, and savings products.
Originally a coffee mill company, Peugeot switched to bicycles in 1830 before looking to cars in 1882, and eventually becoming a highly successful mainstream vehicle producer. In 2014, the French Government and Dongfeng Motors both purchased 14 per cent stakes in the company. The company has been owned by several brands, including AMC (with Renault), Chrysler, Daimler, and now Fiat. Among many company icons, the seven-slot grille is perhaps the most famous and is worn by every model. However, it had to be saved, primarily by Fiat, in 2009, following the US automotive industry crisis.
Mercedes-Benz Cars
Volkswagen was founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front and was not bought by another company. The ownership has evolved over time with various changes in shareholding, including the acquisition of Porsche shares and state involvement. Ferrari is an independent company, with its majority ownership held by Exor, the holding company of the Agnelli family (owners of Fiat). Diconium, majority-owned by Volkswagen, is pivotal for the Group’s digital transformation. It helps create digital ecosystems for Volkswagen’s customers, like online sales platforms, connected car features, and digital customer experiences.
Subsidiaries and brands
It is owned by a combination of major shareholders, primarily Porsche Automobil Holding SE (majority shareholder), the State of Lower Saxony, Qatar Investment Authority, and institutional investors. However, Volkswagen owns a majority stake in Porsche Automobil Holding SE (about 53.3% of voting rights), which controls the Porsche brand. Ducati, the famed motorcycle manufacturer, is owned by Audi, and thus indirectly part of Volkswagen AG. It is considered a high-margin niche brand, contributing modestly to revenue but greatly enhancing brand prestige. Ducati technology increasingly aligns with Volkswagen’s sustainability goals, with developments in electric motorcycles underway. It plays a crucial role in expanding Volkswagen’s presence in emerging markets like Eastern Europe, India, and Southeast Asia.
Volkswagen Group China
Audi and Volkswagen’s relationship dates back to 1965, when the latter became the majority shareholder in Audi before it became an official subsidiary one year later. Ford has gone back and forth between ownership of various car brands, but at the moment is a sole wolf. It has a small stake in Aston Martin and Mazda, but besides that is focusing on its own growth. In the past few years, they’ve become more widely known for operating under previous European name brands such as MG. It’s about time an Indian brand made it onto this list, and Tata is top of the range.
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest automakers, and produces a range of vehicles, including sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles. Audi still has the most issues and requires the most money to fix, though.
By 1928, BMW entered the automobile market, showcasing its commitment to innovation and performance. Notably, the BMW 328, introduced in 1936, gained fame for its speed and agility in racing. This lineage established BMW as a premier luxury brand, increasingly known for merging advanced engineering with a focus on driver experience. Volkswagen, founded in 1937, is recognized for producing reliable, mass-market vehicles. The name translates to “people’s car,” which reflects its goal to make automobiles accessible to a broader audience. Models like the Golf and Passat exemplify Volkswagen’s commitment to practicality and efficiency.
As a major global insurance company, Allianz’s holdings are part of its investment portfolio. With its large stake, Allianz has a direct influence on BMW’s performance from an investment perspective, often focusing on long-term returns and stability. Susanne Klatten is Stefan Quandt’s sister and another key figure in BMW’s ownership. Like her brother, Susanne Klatten is an influential figure in both the company and beyond, as she has diverse investments across multiple industries. Volkswagen is heavily involved in sports sponsorship, with investments having included the 2008 Summer Olympics, the 2014 Winter Olympics, as well as the David Beckham Academy.