Factory Collected/Porsche Takeover??

[MikeB]

We picked up our 2009 R8 at Neckarsulm last Friday, and would highly recommend the visit.

We were picked up from our hotel in Frankfurt by chauffeur in a Q7 and blistered down to the Audi Forum. There were another 120 people picking up there cars that day, but only 2 R8's, so we were treated like royalty. We toured the R8 production line - they tell me that its the slowest car they have ever built - well not one was built that day as there was a major meeting about the R8 and all staff were invited. Treated to a great lunch and then major send-off with a photographer, and a coach load of Audi fans arrived just as were pulling out. Big grins all round!

Fantastic run through 6 countries in 2 days - Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, England and home to Scotland! But you cannot beat the Autobahn for fun or the R8 for making things disappear in the rearview mirror. WHAT A CAR!

Still running in, but going down to Knockhill soon for a blast round the track.

Only downside, was that our very knowledgeable guide, told us that Porsche have a controlling interest in VW as of 3 months ago, who in turn have 51% of Audi. And Porsche are thinking of pulling the pin on the R8 production line as its main competitor. He reckoned that he would not be showing too many more R8 owners around. Sounds like sour grapes from Porsche alright, but does anyone know anything more??

[Bodhii]

Yes, but if Porsche does end the R8's production, this strange action will grant to the current owners of the R8 the best value insurance that any car could ever receive.

[MikeB]

Considered that, and you are right there, but a bit of a blow to Audi's esteem, and I am pretty sure it would knock the GT3 version on the head as well.

[kthacher]

Even though such an action would likely confer "instant rare classic" status on my car, it would forever cause me to hate Porsche. I would never buy one of their products and would do my best to tell everyone I know who would consider such a car that Porsche is scared of real competition. I can't believe that they would take such an idiotic step.

[SFR8]

Just some questions in my mind. What about Porsche's fiduciary responsibility to Audi's corporate interest, to Audi's expansion plan, to the interest of the other 49% shareholders? Can Porsche legally f**ks up another company and have no fiduciary responsiblity to the company and the other shareholders? I realize Porsche could do it on votes alone but the move would be too obvious.

[imclueless]

They wouldn't be closing Audi down only thinning out the range a bit

[R8Taiwan]

I'm curious as to what would be the outcome when Porsche pulls the plug on R8's say, in 2 years. What does that mean to the R8 cars out there?

Less value due to being a one-off spin from a line that was discontinued or more valuable since there won't be any more R cars in the future.....?

One thing is for sure, Porsche will definitely shut down the R line (way too many inside Porsche executive comments on them doing this to just think that it might be idle talk)

What is your opinion?

[MikeB]

Just some questions in my mind. What about Porsche's fiduciary responsibility to Audi's corporate interest, to Audi's expansion plan, to the interest of the other 49% shareholders? Can Porsche legally f**ks up another company and have no fiduciary responsiblity to the company and the other shareholders? I realize Porsche could do it on votes alone but the move would be too obvious.

I think it would be different if Porsche was run by a responsible CEO and board (don't mention the banks versions of these!), but as a family run business, would they not be more inclined just to look after their own backsides?

[wedouglas]

No way will they kill it. Way too much money invested in it and it's very successful. Porsche is a business and nothing will heal their wounds better than money. The R8 is doing good things for the brand and will bring in a nice amount of revenue. Porsche has nothing to gain by killing it, but rather a lot to lose. Porsche has cars that can benefit from everything that the R8 consists of. AWD, mid-engine platform, direct injection, LED lights, magnetic suspension, and probably a lot more.

[wedouglas]

Just some questions in my mind. What about Porsche's fiduciary responsibility to Audi's corporate interest, to Audi's expansion plan, to the interest of the other 49% shareholders? Can Porsche legally f**ks up another company and have no fiduciary responsiblity to the company and the other shareholders? I realize Porsche could do it on votes alone but the move would be too obvious.

I'm not sure they could do it in votes even. To simplify matters, Porsche may have 51%in VW matters, but surely some of those other 49% also have voting power in the 51% stake that VW holds in Audi. So take Audi's 49% and add a few % of pro-Audi VW people. That would block Porsche.