More Porsches, Suzuki tie-up; says VW boss
August 24, 2009 by David Twomey
Volkswagen is looking at three new models for the Porsche line up to bolster sales for the German sports car maker and is interested in a small car tie-up with Japanese carmaker, Suzuki, according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Martin Winterkorn.
Reuters Newsagency quotes an interview Dr Winterkorn, above, gave to the German business publication Manager Magazin as saying he believed Porsche sales could be doubled beyond 2012 or 2013 with three new models, including a “cheap” sports car to sit under the Boxster.
This has raised speculation that Porsche could develop an entry-level sport car based on the Volkswagen BlueSport concept, which has been languishing within VW, despite obvious credentials, including an environmentally friendly diesel engine.
The other models under consideration was a sub-Cayenne SUV, probably based around the VW Tiguan/Audi Q5, and another model of the Panamera, rumoured to be a two-door coupe.
Dr Winterkorn also confirmed that VW could be interested in a tie-up with Japanese company Suzuki Motor Corporation.
“Suzuki would be an interesting partner because of its competency in small cars,” Reuters quoted him as saying in the interview.
Volkswagen, Europe’s biggest carmaker, was not immediately available for comment, while Suzuki had no comment.
Reuters quotes a person familiar with the matter said there had already been talks between VW and Suzuki.
The magazine said, without citing sources, that Volkswagen was interested in taking a 10 per cent stake in Suzuki or forming a joint venture. It said French carmaker Renault had also in talks with Suzuki, although Renault made no comment.
Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki had last told media in late June that he had had no contact with VW, shooting down a Manager Magazin report at the time that Europe’s largest carmaker was exploring a deal with its Japanese rival to boost its presence in ultra small cars.
In the magazine interview, Dr Winterkorn defended the terms of VW’s deal to buy an initial minority stake in Porsche’s sports car business for up to 3.3 billion euros (US$4.65 billion) as a step toward a full merger of the carmakers.
“We are not giving away any money here,” he said, adding several investment banks and auditors had confirmed it was paying a fair price in the deal.
The transaction is set to make Porsche the 10th brand in Volkswagen’s camp, which ranges from small cars to heavy trucks.
Dr Winterkorn said he could imagine Porsche’s annual vehicle sales doubling to around 150,000 units “in the foreseeable future, say 2012 or 2013″ as it adds more models.
Print it: 
Make the blue sport!
Make the blue sport!
yay i like suzuki, and vw. i think the vw’s lights up there look kinda strange because they both look the same shape and the back looks kinda the same as the front. but overall the thing looks hella nice
How about a VW golf gti tuned by Porsche?
Simon – I agree whole heartedly – bring on the BlueSport!
As a Porsche fan this worries me. Dilution of an already diluted brand position.
OK, the Cayenne was a necessity to get them out of a slump, but they need to tread carefully…
Hope they get the product mix right while leaving performance, handling and communicative HYDRAULIC steering at the top of the agenda.
To be honest, all they need to do in my opinion is swap the pricing of the Cayman and Boxster so the coupe is cheaper than the convertible. Maybe a base Cayman in the 90k bracket as a price starter. Then focus their efforts on maintaining the 911’s benchmark status (or arguably try to win it back from The GT-R and R8!), and then make the Cayenne and the Panamera good looking cars (both would need a total re-skin!)
So – entry level coupe with great dynamics and no tinsel / class leading roadster as the next step up / 911 as the brand hero / Cayenne for those who must have a 4WD / and a sexy Panamera that makes people drool when they look at it, not vomit!
If that works, then maybe later a smaller Sedan around RS4/C63/M3 size and priced to compete with those around 150k. And maybe another supercar.
2011 Cayman Coupe 90-120k
2011 Boxster Roadster 105-130k
2012 “Carrera” Performance Sedan 150k
2011 911 Coupe/Convertible – 200k+
2012 Cayenne SUV – 100 to 200k
2013 Panamera Luxury GT Sedan 200-300k
2014 Supercar????? $600k???
That would work I think, but performance, handling and class leading looks need to be in the recipie!
JJ
Here we go…the death and death of Porsche’s identity…
Yeah I agree with Shane’s comment.
Golf GTIs are slow they could do with some real tuning because VW have always needed help with their “performance” cars from Audi why not from Porsche?
The Blue Sport is one of the most effeminate cars I have ever seen!
Take a look at the mini test by Fifth Gear on YouTube.It may seem ok in the stills however,when the car is on the move,it looks like a hairdresser’s car.
If there is a partnership with Suzuki I’m sure VW will turbocharge all their(Suzukis) engines.
At least Suzuki are better at making NA engines.
This will ensure Suzuki’s survival during these tough times, so I’m happy. Also, the best looking car this year is the Bluesport, for me at least.
I’m hoping VW will use it’s connections to tune the Suzuki Swift Sport. 92KW for a ‘hot hatch’ is weak.
Sounds like a scoop there.
In the pictures however, the gentleman who’s picture is next to the name of Mr. Osamu Suzuki is actually the MD of Maruti Suzuki India called as Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi.
This makes me doubt the whole story!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I cannot see what Suzuki can offer VW.
I like the Zuks, they are great little cars and the Vitara is very good too, but VW has one of everything Suzuki has except the VWs come with turbo engines, and diesel engines, and better suspensions.
I’m sure Suzuki would benefit from the tie-up, since they are completely lacking in turbocharged, twincharged, and turbo diesels.
VW – Lupo, Polo, Golf, Tig, Jetta, 2WD, AWD, etc, etc
Suzuki – none of the above ………
That would be nice, a swift tuned by V dub. maybe the sport model would get some real power to match its thirst for Premium.
I agree with Reckless, there really isn’t much Suzuki can offer VW, maybe some small proper off roaders (bring back the Jimny!) and tiny Japanese cars. They have negligible turbo tech, no hybrid tech, their platforms are ok but no class leaders, and they don’t really have any unique selling point. Toyota has reliability, Mazda has youth appeal, BMW has driving dynamics, Audi has prestige, Merc has tech. What does Suzuki have? I mean, I love Suzuki, more for their bikes than their cars, but as a car manufacturer, they just don’t have the size to keep up with the global market. They mainly survive on K-cars in Japan, and the Swift, which really is their only one big model. The rest of the range, it sells, but no where near the volume of its competitors. Subaru has Toyota (for better or worse) maybe its time Suzuki had a decent partnership with a big player. Doesn’t mean VW has to own and control Suzuki, but if they had say a 10% share and and collaborated on platforms, but will help Suzuki a bucket load, and help VW with very small cars (ie their Up! platform).
A 50-60k Porsche would sell like hotcakes.
Hi Tim, Jimny is available in every Suzuki dealer, today, if you want.
If porch made a new shaped sportscar they would treble sales.
Hope you all agree with me, I am sure you all will as you all love ANYTHING that’s new and innovative, ha ha.