Possible Porsche Power Play Pending?

[Variance]

Possible Porsche Power Play Pending?

Porsche AG, the most valuable and most profitable of Germany's automakers, says it has been increasing its stake in Volkswagen AG to prevent hostile takeovers from abroad.

Analysts think Porsche may be gearing up for a takeover of its own.

The maker of the 911, the Boxster and the Cayenne SUV said this week it would purchase enough shares in VW to bring its stake to 29.9 percent -- just shy of the 30 percent level that would necessitate a full takeover bid.

Porsche -- controlled by the family of VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech -- is now the top shareholder in Europe's largest car maker.

While Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking said the company has no plans to take over Volkswagen, the luxury automaker also said it wants to sell 8.75 million new shares, raising about 8 billion euros ($10.2 billion) at current prices.

The Detroit News

[MyerShift]

This is how Porsche will ensure its future. The Cayenne will be guaranteed, and the Panamera or whatever it will be called will have pletny of funding.

In the most recent edition of Automobile magazine, Wiedeking is said to have told the board of Volkswagen AG that their "costly sandbox exercises" needed to end. That could mean no future for Bugatti... again. He allegedly made the statement in front of Piech himself, mastermind of VW's collection of exotic marques through the 1990's.

[ToniCipriani]

I just hope they won't end up rebadging a Phaeton as the Panamera...

[MyerShift]

I highly doubt that would ever happen. The Phaeton is too heavy (steel chassis), too cumbersome, and its engine is hanging off the front of the car, so I don't see it as being desirable to Porsche for a larger sports car like the Panamera. Not sure what it is based on other than a unique architecture. I'm sure Porsche would try to make the weight and balancing as ideal as possible.