Autoblog UK

So Volkswagen now has 49.9percent of Porsche, and by 2011 will have a majority shareholding in the famous and hugely profitable (when it isn't attempting reverse take-overs of giant-size companies like VW) sports car maker.

There's irony in this, Porsche born out of modifying the rather unpromising VW Beetle into sports cars post-war, and there's security in it for Porsche too, the Stuttgart operation now having a safety net should it sail into hard times.

But it's hard to avoid the thought that this loss of independence slightly tarnishes the appeal of Porsche. This was the car company that bucked the business trend, making huge profits on relatively low sales volumes that industry sages said were impossible, and a company that has gone its own way with bold introductions like the Cayenne (which many sages also said would spell disaster, but did anything but) and the Panamera. It probably comes well down the list of reasons for buying a Porsche, but there must a few self-made types who are attracted to the brand because it has been independent and a little bit maverick. Now it will be part of huge corporate empire, VW reckoning that 'Porsche will have the potential for significant additional growth.'

Let's hope that this doesn't mean pumping out thousands more Porsches, and turning it into a brand more ordinary. True, VW has a better record than most when it comes to nurturing brands – look at its success with Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley and Skoda – but the temptation to milk Porsche must be there. Let's hope Wolfsburg can resist, and preserve its philosophical integrity.

Toyota have been suffering their worst slowdown in sales since the company was founded in 1937. But in August, trade was up by 9% compared to the previous year. That same month, German competitor Volkswagen increased their deliveries to customers around the globe by 9.5% compared to a year ago. As reported last Saturday in the 'Tokyo Shimbun', Toyota have increased production worldwide by 8% to 6.45 million vehicles in the financial year 2009/2010. This has been made possible through the effects of government subsidies and tax breaks for new fuel-efficient vehicles.

Following Ron Dennis's departure from the Formula One scene, he has been preoccupied with his next dream project as CEO of McLaren Automotive. The former McLaren team principal not only plans to design the best sports cars in the world but, of course, to actually sell them. Despite the global downturn that has almost brought the automotive industry to its knees, Ron Dennis is still intent on realising his pioneering ideas.

He has put in a planning application with the local council in Woking (Surrey) for a new high-volume plant that will produce 20 vehicles per day using ultra-modern technology. This is expected to create 800 jobs in the factory itself with a further 1,500 in the local economy. What may seem like a crazy undertaking in the current economic climate.

The year is 2009. While the whole world is covered with unsold cars, one small scarlet-fever-infected village is holding out against the global downturn. Led by their charismatic chieftain Luca di Montezemolo, the tribe from the tiny settlement of Maranello are giving the other marques a hefty kick up the exhaust. The magic potion that has made their foes despair is the latest set of figures from the village. Rising from the huts of Maranello, we see a plume of smoke that speaks of petrol, rubber and wealth.

The financial peril that currently faces the U.S. domestic automakers is no secret, and according to Wall Street Journal report published yesterday, Ford is mulling over the possibility of unloading at least part of its controlling stake in Mazda to raise cash. Japanese media, via the AP, said that Ford would likely keep some interests in the Japanese automaker after such a move -- no surprise when you consider how closely tied Ford and Madza are right now in terms of shared technology. The Oval's third-quarter numbers are expected to be pretty ugly, and the Journal's source said that the potential sale of its Mazda holdings is one of many moves reportedly under consideration as Dearborn looks for ways to add to its cash on hand. For its part, Mazda denies that any decision has been made (a non-denial, really -- no outlets reported that a deal had yet been completed) and Ford weighed in with a to-be-expected "no comment." As they say, to be continued...