Volkswagen could follow in Fiat Chrysler's footsteps by spinning off some of its assets.
FCA have let go of Ferrari and agricultural brand CNH Industrial in recent years, and now VW could be about to do something similar with motorbike manufacturer Ducati and transmissions maker Renk according to a report by Reuters.
The company's former CEO Matthias Mueller attempted to sell both Ducati and Renk during his reign, but the decision was met by opposition from labour leaders and the controlling Porsche and Piech families.
"For non-core businesses such as Ducati, Renk and (large engines unit) Man diesel & turbo, we will draw up sustainable future perspectives," Volkswagen's recently-appointed CEO Herbert Diess said on Thursday.
"Both business could be expanded under new plans, but full spin-offs of each company 'are also conceivable,'" Diess said.
Diess has already set about plans to list Volkswagen's truck and bus businesses – which includes Man and Scania – on the stock market, while collaborations between the company's multiple car brands – including Audi, Seat, Skoda, and Bentley – are also set to be strengthened. The brands already share platforms and engines to take advantage of economies of scale and shared knowledge.
In the wake of the Dieselgate fiasco Diess is also keen to improve compliance and integrity at Volkswagen.
"Volkswagen has to become more honest, more open, more truthful," he said.
Diess' appointment was thought to me a key move in drawing a line under the controversy.
He wasn't at the company when the emissions transgressions took place – and a proposed radical shift to an ambitious electric strategy hasn't quite done the business for the company in the last three years.
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