In recent press conference during the launch of the new VW Polo in the Italian island of Sardinia, VW's uber supremo Ferdinand Piech revealed to the press that VW is looking to acquire 3 more brands after Porsche. When asked by the press if one of them was Suzuki, Piech merely answered only, as quoted by Automotive News, that "he has great respect for the company, which, like Piech, has a reputation for technical expertise."
Just last week, VW CEO Martin Winterkorn told a German business publication Manager Magazin, that Suzuki would be an interesting partner for VW because of its competency in small cars. The combination of these two news sent the German media into a frenzy, with reports saying VW could take a 10 percent stake in Suzuki as the first step toward a full takeover.
It is Ferdinand Piech's (as well as Martin Winterkorn's) ambition to see VW challenge Toyota for the crown of being the most powerful car company in the world. 2 years ago, VW announced that it intends to challenge Toyota for the title by 2015. At that time, the announcement sounded hollow and nothing but a lofty ambition. 2 years later with VW, despite the current market situation, still announcing profits and sometimes record growth in certain markets / business units while Toyota is rapidly bleeding red, nobody is laughing anymore, but are instead sitting up and listen. VW's premium brand Audi is on its record 13th year run of record breaking growth.
Automotive News Europe columnist Paul Mcveigh comments that "Piech is doing what he has always done throughout his 46-year automotive career: spreading hints and rumors that confuse, baffle and weaken his intended target."
Osamu Suzuki needs to be careful. Despite cracking the age of 76-years old, Ferdinand Piech is showing no signs of slowing down. The last person who tried to take on Piech, Porsche's former CEO Wendelin Wiedeking, ended up being "pwn3d."
Suzuki is the top selling car in India (Maruti 800 and Alto, via local partner Maruti) and Japan (Wagon-R). Suzuki draws its strength in developing markets, especially in India and Pakistan, by leveraging on its success in the motorcycle industry to attract first time car buyers (and previous motorcycle users) to its low cost cars. VW's largest presence is via its subsidiary brand Skoda. It is the most popular foreign car company in China, now the world's largest car market. VW's premium brand is now the top selling luxury car brand in Germany, overtaking Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Related link :
Suzuki Turns 100
The end of Wiedeking-era Porsche
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