Can someone tell me what is the corporate relationship between the three, who owns who, partnerships, etc.

 

Audi is part of the Volkswagon group.
Porsche owns Porsche.

 

Porsche started out w the 911 based off of the bug chassis isn't that right?

Audi is turning out to be the Lexus, VW is the Toyota. Porsche got the Cayenne which has a VW cousins

 

That is the part that confuses me, is it just select partnerships or does the relationship go deeper?

 

Lambo is in the mix as wel, aren' t they a branch of VW?

 

That's right ..... however, in most cases these three brands are represented by one dealer; or at least VW & Audi are sold together under one dealer

 

The 3 marques do share certain platforms for some models.

 

VAG = Audi , VW , Bentley , lambo , Seat , Skoda and a few others.
Porsche is owned by Porsche .. End of story..

People seem to be confused of the realtionship mostly due to the fact that many dealerships are Porsche Audi oriented.....

In the late 70's and early 80's Porsche and Audi had a joint venture or parntership in the U.S. and were importing vehicles as a group.. If you see old literature you will usaully see Porsche+Audi.
This worked for both at the time since both manufacturers were small and were only importing a relatively small volume of cars.
Since Porsche was a small car manufacturer at the time they needed help.. Hence the 944 which was built at the Audi's facilities by Audi . The 924 which actually had a VW/Audi based engine.

Porsche has worked with Audi and vice versa over the years on certain projects as technology partners.. IE the 959 all wheel drive system was developed by Audi... (One of the very early pre 959 , 911 based test mules used an Audi Quattro System)

They have also done some racing development togther over the years, mostly sharing engineering etc..........

Today, as with everything else, volume and the $$$ count any auto manufacturer who hopes to survive in the global economy must look at startegic partnerships hence the sharing of certain platforms,. Ie Toureg , Cayenne.......................( Just look at Bentley , VAG today , Bentley when it used the BMW drivetrain etc ) Rolls Royce when it used the BMW drivetrain late 90's.

Even today Porsche still doesnt build "all" its own cars @ Porsche. For exmaple the Boxster is built in Finland and even today uses some Audi parts like the 5 spd gearbox...........



Hope this helps...........

 

Sure does, thanks.

 

Its one big orgy LOL

 

 

 

The earliest Porsche's used VW components because of two things:

1. The basic desing was done by Prof. Porsche in the 30's. So the mechanicals were well known to the Porsche people.
2. It was about the only thing around that could be used.

I't no accident that Porsche used torsion bar suspension and a rear mounted motor.

In addition the Piech family is related to the Porsche family by marriage. Piech was a rising star at Porsche when the family made a rule that no family member could be an active director in the company. He left and had brilliant career at other places.

The original 914, was a VW/Porsche cooperation. And sold as a VW/Porsche in Europe.

There have been ties but no mingled ownership over the years.

 

I heard that the Cayenne uses alot of parts from the Audi RS6? Especially the Cayenne Turbo? Am I wrong?