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Volkswagen Group's Vision 2030 strategy could bring revolution to the brands

One would expect a corporate plan called "Vision 2030," looking 11 years ahead through wildly tumultuous times, to involve great change and numerous forks in numerous roads. According to Automobile's breakdown of Volkswagen's path forward, though, the plans contain some lurid potential surprises. The ultimate aim is return on investment, and that means ruthless reorganization of a conglomerate with eight primary car brands, two car sub-brands, and Ducati motorcycles. The first two Vision 2030 cornerstones Automobile mentions are near boilerplate: Production network restructuring, and "streamlining of key technologies." The latter two are the ones that could upend what we know as the Volkswagen Group: focusing on the Group's core brands — meaning Audi, Porsche, and VW — and transitioning to EVs, autonomy, and other mobility solutions. Based on the report, a quote from Audi's CTO referring to the Audi brand could cover how the Group plans to handle all of its brands: "We need to find a sustainable solution for the indefinite transition period until EVs eventually take over." The boutique divisions adjacent to carmaking, Ducati and Italdesign, look likely to be spun off. For the halo car brands — Bentley, Bugatti, and Lamborghini — apparently shareholders want double-digit returns on investment, and the trio doesn't have long to hit the target. One eyebrow raiser is when the report states, "Bugatti is tipped to be gifted to [ex-VW Group Chairman] Ferdinand Piech." Piech fathered the Veyron during his tenure at VW, and it was thought he commissioned the La Voiture Noire, but he's lately stepped so far back from VW that he sold all his shares in the Group. Automobile quoted a senior strategist as saying of money-losing Bentley, "Why invest on a backward-looking enterprise when you can support a trendsetter? A proud history and excellent craftmanship alone don't cut it anymore." We guess no one at Ferrari, McLaren, or even Porsche got that memo. Bentley is reportedly close to being put in time out, and if brand CEO Adrian Hallmark can't right the Crewe ship, the hush-hush Plan B is to prop the Flying B up enough to lure a buyer. As for Lamborghini, caught between two masters at Audi and Porsche, even record-breaking numbers at the Italian supercar maker barely staved off sacrilege. It's said that VW brand CEO Herbert Diess considered putting a 5.0-liter Porsche V8 into the Aventador successor.

Audi execs mulling turbocharged, entry-level R8

The just-launched, second-generation Audi R8 is apparently a pretty fantastic example of Vorsprung durch Technik. While it's sublime to drive, Audi might already be missing some potential sales due to the lack of an true entry-level version in the supercar's lineup. Lending further credence to an earlier rumor about just such a model, company execs are saying to expect an entry-level, turbocharged R8 to launch in the coming years. "It is inevitable that we will go to a turbocharged motor for it at some point," Audi technical development board member Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg said to Motoring. "It would be in this model cycle, to give us a fuller range." The executive certainly isn't mincing words about forced induction, but the V10's position in the lineup is also secure. "It doesn't mean we are not going to do a turbo, but naturally aspirated is here to stay as well," he said. If Dr. Hackenberg's direct assertion isn't enough, Quattro GmbH chief Heinz Peter Hollerweger further clarified to Motoring that the turbocharged engine would slot into the bottom of the R8's range. An unnamed "senior sales and marketing source" within the Audi also said that the company's turbo five-cylinder was among the currently favored choices for the application. The first rumors about the R8 getting a forced induction version arose just a few months ago. At the time, Audi's electrically turbocharged, 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder was considered an option. The model would solve a problem in markets, like China, that severely tax big displacement engines. Customers might not even need to worry about giving up too much performance either. In the Audi TT Clubsport Turbo concept, the powerplant has a total output of 600 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. While 10 fewer ponies than the latest R8 V10 Plus, it would bring 66 lb-ft more twist to the supercar.

Autoblog Minute: Nokia to sell Here mapping for $3.1B

In a three company partnership the German automakers BMW, Audi and Daimler are set to take ownership of Nokia's Here mapping technology. Autoblog's Eddie Sabatini reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] In a battle for Nokia's highly coveted mapping technology the auto industry claims victory over Silicon Valley. I'm Eddie Sabatini and this is your Autoblog Minute. In a three company partnership the German automakers BMW, Audi and Daimler are set to take ownership of Nokia's Here mapping technology. The Wall Street Journal writes that the automakers had concerns that the technology might fall under the [00:00:30]control of companies like Google, Uber, or Apple. The purchase, worth a reported 3.1 billion dollars, is still subject to antitrust evaluation before it's finalized; but this early news is already a big win for the German three. Ownership of Nokia's Here tech means that automakers won't lose control of the information systems that go into their cars. The deal, if approved, is expected to close in first quarter of 2016. For Autoblog, I'm Eddie Sabatini. [00:01:00] Autoblog Minute Logo Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals. Audi BMW Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video