- The statement from VW Group does not necessarily refute the rumors.
- All brands sitting under the corporate umbrella will have to ‘change deeply.’
- The automotive group admitted that its “business model no longer works.”
It feels like Porsche’s decision to move away from the Bugatti remake went largely unnoticed, when it really shouldn’t have. It marks the end of an era, especially for those of us who grew up seeing the Veyron as the ultimate car. With Porsche selling its stake in Bugatti Rimac, Bugatti is no longer part of the Volkswagen Group for the first time since 1998.
A new report from a reputable publication alleges that at least one more name could be cut from the list of brands owned by the VW Group as the automaker looks to raise funds for its restructuring plan. The Financial Times (subscription required) It is alleged that the company’s advisors are pushing to put additional businesses up for sale, including motorcycle brand Ducati.
Additionally, advisers reportedly want Lamborghini to transition from a privately owned business, as it has been since it was acquired by the VW Group in 1998, to a publicly traded company. Why? VW Group will still control the Raging Bull brand through its Audi subsidiary, raising capital by selling shares to the public.
Photo by: Lamborghini
VW Group responds to rumors
Our sister site ride separately VW Group has been contacted for comment. The Financial Times Report. To their and our surprise, a spokesperson for the German automotive giant did not outright deny the rumors. While our colleagues rightly asked about Ducati’s fate, the company’s response (Full statement here) was comprehensive, saying that all of its brands and subsidiaries would have to “deeply transform”. It also said that a “restructuring of the company” was underway.
The full statement also notes that “the business model no longer works,” particularly the long-term vision of developing cars exclusively in Germany and building them in Europe for export markets. We’ve actually heard this before. In July 2025, then-Porsche CEO Oliver Blume told employees in an email bloomberg That “the business model, which has served us well for many decades, no longer works in its current form.” Blume has since stepped down to focus on leading the wider VW Group.
VW Group is downsizing
Bugatti isn’t the only asset the VW Group is selling. Last week, it announced plans to sell its majority stake in the Everlens marine diesel engine business, raising about €7.4 billion (about $8.4 billion). moreover, image (subscription required) The automated driving partnership between software unit CARIAD and Bosch is reported to be ending despite a €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion) investment.
According to the German business publication, the company’s organizational overhaul could also include closing four factories and cutting 100,000 jobs. manager magazine.
Suffice it to say, all signs point to Wolfsburg taking the storm.
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Source: Lamborghini
Motor1’s Opinion: The VW Group appears to be undergoing a dramatic transformation, shrinking its footprint to fund a stronger future. Massive job cuts, closure of several plants and sale of key assets are all coming to light, but nothing is official until the company confirms it. For now, the only confirmed moves are Porsche’s exit from Bugatti Rimac and the VW Group’s decision to sell a 51 percent stake in Everlens, while retaining the remaining 49 percent in the medium term.
VW Group has already announced plans to reduce its workforce in Germany by more than 35,000 by the end of the decade, but the cuts could ultimately be much greater. Eliminating 100,000 jobs would be unprecedented for the automotive industry and would underline how dire the situation has become for the German giant.
