Good news this week from Volkswagen Group Australia that it is taking control of Audi Australia in a move that will see the three brands in their stable Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda come under a single Australian entity. The merger expected to provide a better bargaining position with the individual brands headquarters in Europe, provide cost synergies and a more efficient operation in Australia. According to Volkswagen Group Australia Managing Director, Michael Bartsch who will head o the new organisation “unification fortifies the position of these group brands.” Importantly, individual dealer networks will remain the same under the merger. Despite the  merger the Group’s prestige brands Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley will remain independent here. Michael Bartsch also confirmed that Audi will be the brand that leads Volkswagen Group Australia’s initial push into electric vehicles although he says eventually each group brand will have separate EV ranges as they become a more common form of personal mobility.

I’m David Berthon

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