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I knew it, I knew it, and nearly said so in my piece yesterday about A1 production in Brussels, and Audi’s emerging primacy. I sense old money at work: the one-time Auto Union allegiances emerging from the priest-holes of expedient deference to unyielding socialism, to join forces with the dynasty spun from the car that so tickled Mr Hitler’s fancy, and which everyone hoped would die a similar death. Had it not been for the Yorkshire clockmaker’s son and REME Major, Ivan Hirst, Volkswagen would never have become the vast empire it is today. The old order could have continued making cars for the kind of people who never enquired the price: the same people who had at one time thrilled at the Auto Union racing cars designed by Ferdinand Porsche, whose son, Ferry, was to develop the company bearing his father’s revered name. Porsche’s daughter, Louise, married a distinguished Viennese laywyer, Anton Piech, and their son - also a Ferdinand - eventually rose to the very pinnacle of the Volkswagen board, on which he remains in a supervisory capacity, to this day. What spies call a sleeper, you might say. Anyway, where’s all this leading? In a press report today, it emerged that Porsche (owned almost entirely by the Piech family) has been acquiring more VW stock, to the extent that it is very close to the 30 per cent holding that would trigger a compulsory takeover under German law. Stuff and nonsense, says Porsche, or words to that effect. Likewise it strongly denied press reports that it would take Audi (once Auto Union) to its bosom - no doubt scooping up Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti on the way - and leave the people’s car and its socially-priced stablemates to fend for themselves. And Audi man, Martin Winterkorn, will soon have Piech’s old job. How cosy: I do love a conspiracy. .
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