Volkswagen Group

Lamborghini and Ducati are safe for the time being. Since October 2020, industry rumours have suggested Volkswagen Group would be selling both Italian sports car brand Lamborghini and Italian sports bike brand Ducati. A media release overnight from Volkswagen Group confirmed the company would not be selling either of the two businesses. "There is agreement on the Board that Lamborghini and Ducati will remain part of the Volkswagen Group," the statement read.

Update, 8 October 2020: Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann has told media outlet Bloomberg the high-performance Volkswagen subsidiary has effectively halted all product development. "We had talks about a second-model lineup," Mr Winkelmann said. "But [this is now] blocked due to the coronavirus crisis; we’re not talking about what’s coming next." Despite this, he stated the manufacturer is on track to turn a profit in 2020.

Job cuts continue to spread through the automotive industry as car manufacturers try to reduce costs due to a dramatic sales decline in the first half of 2020. Bentley has announced it would be slashing 1000 jobs, nearly 24 per cent of the company's workforce, as reported by news agency Reuters. The announcement came within 24 hours of Aston Martin announcing it would cut 500 jobs, more than 19 per cent of its personnel.

If the Volkswagen Group has its way, its new electric platforms won’t just be proliferating throughout their own corporate range – they’ll be proliferating through rival automakers’ line-ups, too. Bloomberg reports the German giant is in discussions with other automakers to share with them its upcoming, all-electric 'PPE' platform.

Not even legendary Bugatti is immune to the spread of SUVs. Automobile reports the Chiron and Divo may be getting a new companion in the form of an electric crossover. Surprised? This rumoured all-electric crossover allows Bugatti to join the ranks of Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Lamborghini in the ultra-luxury crossover market.