FOLLOWING months of hypothesis that Lamborghini could also be solid adrift from the Volkswagen Group with a view to streamline efficiencies for the conglomerate, it has been revealed by the Volkswagen supervisory board that the Italian supercar model will stay a part of the Group.
The announcement additionally said that bike model Ducati shall be retained by the VW Group – one other marque that was rumoured to be getting the chop.
Whereas not expounding on the choice to retain the 2 manufacturers, the transfer ensures the short-term security of Lamborghini which can little question start a transition in the direction of electrification over the subsequent decade.
It’ll additionally safe the way forward for the Urus SUV, which is underpinned by the identical MLB Evo platform as numerous different VW Group SUVs together with the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga.
Lamborghini has already began dipping its toes into the world of electrification with the Sian coupe, whereas an all-electric 2+2 GT automotive has additionally been doing the rounds on the hearsay mill.
Together with the Lamborghini announcement, VW Group executives additionally confirmed that luxurious model Bentley will fall throughout the administration duty of Audi from March 1, 2021.
The choice was made to permit for better synergies with relation to electrification and EVs, which can little question assist Bentley obtain its objectives of electrifying its total vary by 2026, earlier than shifting to an EV-only model by 2030.
As a luxurious model with a finger firmly within the EV pie, Audi is effectively positioned to assist present battery know-how to Bentley, having simply launched its first EV in Australia – the E-Tron SUV – with extra EV’s on the best way, together with the E-Tron Sportback sedan and E-Tron GT – the model’s first all-electric efficiency mannequin.
The Sportback and GT may present the underpinnings for electrical variations of the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur, whereas the E-Tron may type the premise for a next-generation Bentayga.
VW Group executives stated the corporate is forming a plan to focus on a 5 per cent discount in mounted prices by 2023, whereas additionally lowering materials prices by seven per cent over the subsequent two years.
The announcement additionally noticed a reshuffle of VW Group prime brass, with numerous executives shifting into new roles to assist the model obtain its objectives round electromobility and digitalisation.
Volkswagen chairman of the board of administration Herbert Diess stated the modifications throughout the firm are a few of the most important in its historical past.
“Collectively we’re rigorously urgent ahead with the biggest transformation within the historical past of Volkswagen,” he stated.
“Within the upcoming years, we’ll proceed to spend money on electromobility, digitalisation and battery know-how and, on the identical time, considerably scale back mounted prices and materials prices all through the Group in all manufacturers and areas with a view to guarantee Volkswagen’s future viability.”
