Audi buys McLaren.
Discussion
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/business-financ...
Interesting, not too sure how I feel about that tbh.
Interesting, not too sure how I feel about that tbh.
Stops them going bust I suppose, what won’t be good is the possibility of a VAG group reskin to a current/future chassis, as I doubt McLaren numbers could justify a bespoke chassis.
I’m also intrigued to see where they’ll position this wrt Lamborghini as they currently occupy the same market sectors..
I’m also intrigued to see where they’ll position this wrt Lamborghini as they currently occupy the same market sectors..
So that could mean a McLaren F1 car with a Red Bull (ex-Honda) engine if Porsche partner with Red Bull? I can't see Audi and Porsche both being in F1 with competing engines. Audi owned McLaren with a Mercedes engine isn't going to work for long, but neither is a Ferrari engine or a renault engine.
s2000db said:
Stops them going bust I suppose, what won’t be good is the possibility of a VAG group reskin to a current/future chassis, as I doubt McLaren numbers could justify a bespoke chassis.
I’m also intrigued to see where they’ll position this wrt Lamborghini as they currently occupy the same market sectors..
There was talk of them selling Ducati and Lamborghini, but big Groups have a habit of doing little things like this which don’t necessarily make sense. I’m also intrigued to see where they’ll position this wrt Lamborghini as they currently occupy the same market sectors..
With a market cap of €125bn, these brands are just tinkering at the edges for VAG and a bit of fun probably.
This has been coming really. The way the business had been headed - selling the factory, struggling sales etc. Either of these are probably thinking that for relative small investment it's a good way to get back into F1, firm up creds in supercars (more relevant to BMW) and stop Geely/SAIC/China getting the carbon and powertrain tech in one go.
Carbon EV R8 / Huracan replacement courtesy of McLaren would make a lot of sense.
Carbon EV R8 / Huracan replacement courtesy of McLaren would make a lot of sense.
I would guess McLaren would be more EV, the most modern tech in general with VAG tech inside. Lamborghini would be more traditional, more flamboyant and loud, and would retain their big engines for as long as possible. Maybe more SUV with Lambo also. I think you can have both.
Anyways, good for McLaren I think.
Anyways, good for McLaren I think.
Well that was a wild couple of hours 
Bit of a cock up by Autocar really, even before they edited the article, they had the headline making it sound like it was confirmed, then within the article 'a source told us', 'Mclaren say no changes have been made, 'Audi have made no comment'...
Why even post the article with that little evidence, slow Monday morning?
Bit of a cock up by Autocar really, even before they edited the article, they had the headline making it sound like it was confirmed, then within the article 'a source told us', 'Mclaren say no changes have been made, 'Audi have made no comment'...
Why even post the article with that little evidence, slow Monday morning?
There is no smoke without fire. These big corporations always vehemently deny any take over until all parties have signed on the dotted line.If truth be told McLaren had to be bought up soon as the bond holders were getting pretty nervous and with most bonds very short term time was running out.
Would have much preferred McLaren was bought by BMW but Audi is better than going bust.
Would have much preferred McLaren was bought by BMW but Audi is better than going bust.
Slippydiff99 said:
So will they keep McLaren as a brand, competing with Lambo do you think?
Audi don’t own Lamborghini. VAG own Audi and Lamborghini.
The dozen or so main brands that make up VAG each operate individually within the automobile market. Each has its own collections, character and ranges of vehicles.
Bentley, Lambo, Porsche, etc so I’d imagine any buyer would want to keep McLaren as a separate and distinct brand.
Cash flow and other issues aside, no other recent (“new incomer”) car manufacturer has created the range of exciting and award winning cars that McLaren has in the space of 10 years.
McLaren is now an established supercar brand - no successful business would look to buy them and throw the brand away.
McLaren Group is aware of a news media report stating it has been sold to Audi. This is wholly inaccurate and McLaren is seeking to have the story removed.
McLaren’s technology strategy has always involved ongoing discussions and collaboration with relevant partners and suppliers, including other carmakers, however, there has been no change in the ownership structure of the McLaren Group.
YET!!!
McLaren’s technology strategy has always involved ongoing discussions and collaboration with relevant partners and suppliers, including other carmakers, however, there has been no change in the ownership structure of the McLaren Group.
YET!!!r o n n i e said:
Audi don’t own Lamborghini.
VAG own Audi and Lamborghini.
The dozen or so main brands that make up VAG each operate individually within the automobile market. Each has its own collections, character and ranges of vehicles.
Bentley, Lambo, Porsche, etc so I’d imagine any buyer would want to keep McLaren as a separate and distinct brand.
Cash flow and other issues aside, no other recent (“new incomer”) car manufacturer has created the range of exciting and award winning cars that McLaren has in the space of 10 years.
McLaren is now an established supercar brand - no successful business would look to buy them and throw the brand away.
You say that they operate separately, and of course financially they do, but you only need to look at the Bentayga/Urus/Cayenne/Q8 that all share the same architecture and basic engines. R8/Huracan share huge parts, Conti GT and Panamera etc etc. VAG own Audi and Lamborghini.
The dozen or so main brands that make up VAG each operate individually within the automobile market. Each has its own collections, character and ranges of vehicles.
Bentley, Lambo, Porsche, etc so I’d imagine any buyer would want to keep McLaren as a separate and distinct brand.
Cash flow and other issues aside, no other recent (“new incomer”) car manufacturer has created the range of exciting and award winning cars that McLaren has in the space of 10 years.
McLaren is now an established supercar brand - no successful business would look to buy them and throw the brand away.
I'd much prefer to see McLaren bought by BMW. They've done wonders with Mini and Rolls.
Beefmeister said:
r o n n i e said:
Audi don’t own Lamborghini.
VAG own Audi and Lamborghini.
The dozen or so main brands that make up VAG each operate individually within the automobile market. Each has its own collections, character and ranges of vehicles.
Bentley, Lambo, Porsche, etc so I’d imagine any buyer would want to keep McLaren as a separate and distinct brand.
Cash flow and other issues aside, no other recent (“new incomer”) car manufacturer has created the range of exciting and award winning cars that McLaren has in the space of 10 years.
McLaren is now an established supercar brand - no successful business would look to buy them and throw the brand away.
You say that they operate separately, and of course financially they do, but you only need to look at the Bentayga/Urus/Cayenne/Q8 that all share the same architecture and basic engines. R8/Huracan share huge parts, Conti GT and Panamera etc etc. VAG own Audi and Lamborghini.
The dozen or so main brands that make up VAG each operate individually within the automobile market. Each has its own collections, character and ranges of vehicles.
Bentley, Lambo, Porsche, etc so I’d imagine any buyer would want to keep McLaren as a separate and distinct brand.
Cash flow and other issues aside, no other recent (“new incomer”) car manufacturer has created the range of exciting and award winning cars that McLaren has in the space of 10 years.
McLaren is now an established supercar brand - no successful business would look to buy them and throw the brand away.
I'd much prefer to see McLaren bought by BMW. They've done wonders with Mini and Rolls.
Slippydiff99 said:
So will they keep McLaren as a brand, competing with Lambo do you think?
The answer is still yes any buyer would be crazy not to keep McLaren as a separate brand entity.Doesn’t mean there can not be cost savings in shared developments like how we see certain engines appearing in Maserati and Ferrari, and multi use chassis for Rolls Royce and BMW.
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