“Independence, then, has always been the attitude at Porsche. To do not what is expected, but what we feel is right. It is said that so many creations today are just like all the rest. This is why Porsche must remain small and independent. Without independence – the freedom to try new ideas – the world will not move ahead, but live in fear of its own potential.”
These are the words of Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche: a unique individual, whose post-war work to save his father’s legacy, and lifelong efforts to preserve the independence of the Porsche brand should never be forgotten. Ferry is literally the father of the cars we love, and his hard-fought independence is about to disappear.
The assimilation of Porsche into Volkswagen will be completed by August 1st, 2012. Between now and then, Porsche Automobil Holding SE will surrender “its holding business operations, including a 50.1% interest in Porsche’s operating business to Volkswagen AG” (quote: Porsche). The deal will officially render Volkswagen AG sole owner of Porsche’s business operations.
The current Porsche range is widely acclaimed as perhaps the best ever, and sales are strong. VAG understands the benefits of supporting heritage through community, and appears to encourage its sporting brands to strive for excellence in motorsport. All good news for Porsche fans, but there is no way to dress this up: August 1st will send a knife through the heart of Porsche independence.
Purists will forever argue the question: what makes a real Porsche? Never one to get too hooked up on minutiae, my favourite Porsches stem from the dynasty: when a man called Porsche walked around his factory, and inspired his teams to greatness.
Anyone familiar with classic Porsche from behind the wheel knows that older cars have an attitude that was lost some years ago. The end of independence is bound to up the ante for cars built in simpler times, and emphasise that missing ingredient in everything there is to come. I’ll let The Doors play this one out:
Well all i can say is that it is going to be One Sad day in the sports car world.
I really and truely hope that VW leave the Porsche guy’s to do what they do’, and that is make the most awesome sports car know to man’.
I salute you guy’s at porsche, without you the sports car world would not be what it is today!!.
PORSCHE LEED ,THE REST FOLLOW!
All the best for the future Guy’s
The Ultimate Porsche Fan
Ronald Roscher
Seriously, wasn’t Volkswagen AG, founded by his father? It isn’t like it is being sold off to Fiat.
No Joshua, VW was founded by the National Socialists/German Labour Front while Hitler was in power. Doesn’t matter who it gets sold to – the energy has shifted.
Word!
Just a small correction:
VW will be actually purchasing the reamining 51% of Porsche Zwischeholding GmbH (which in turn owns 100% of Porsche AG) from Porsche SE thus leaving it as a stand alone compnay.
The interesting thisng is that Porsche SE will continue to own 32.2% of VW.
the other interesting thing is that Porsche SE is 90% owned by the Porsche and Piech families.
Thanks. Porsche says it is 50.1%.
I don’t see how a one-third stake in VW affects the fact that the company is no longer Porsche owned? I think better to own 100% of Porsche than 33% of VW.
No doubt there are financial benefits, but there’s more to life than money.
Here it is straight from Porsche SE. It’s a 32.2% share of VAG
http://www.porsche-se.com/pho/en/press/news/?pool=pho&id=2012-07-04
Sadly, I believe you’re right on, John.
Too often in instances like this independence and innovation give way to bureaucracy and politics.
I suppose at least we can drive it how they meant it, Bruce! Thanks for commenting.
Correct John, but the point I was trying to make (not so successfully) is that Porsche SE still has a strong influence in VAG.
Don’t get me wrong. I too lament the loss of independence.
Aha, I get you. Just read a WSJ piece claiming one person in Porsche making all the decisions has never been good for the company: there are many ways of taking that!