All about cars and driving

The automotive manufactures have always been a close knit organization. Joining the family is much like joining that other “family” that is alleged to run the world from a farm in Sicily. Many manufacturers have tried throughout history to join the club and few have succeeded. Many that have endured are now owned and operated by other companies making brand engineering the buzz word of the twenty first century. Maybe that is why all the cars in the world look alike these days.

It is interesting to figure out who owns who in the automotive world today.

Volkswagen Group

Back in the control of the Piech family Volkswagen Group is emerging as the world’s most prolific auto maker. Ferdinand Piech, now in charge of the company, has expanded the company’s holdings to include many brands from all around the globe. Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti and a large part of Suzuki are all owned by the same company. Cross engineering is a common thread throughout the company with each company sharing technology and components with others. Perhaps that is why the Volkswagen Tiguan looks like an Audi Q5 and the new upcoming Porsche Cajun.

Fiat

The Italian car maker rivals Volkswagen for the number of auto makers under its control. The Italian controlled company now has a controlling interest in American car maker Chrysler that includes Dodge. In addition Fiat owns a majority interest in Lancia, Ferrari, Alpha Romeo, Maserati and American icon Jeep. Auto tuner and parts provider Abarth is also operated by Fiat and acts as a tuning house for several of the high end products that the Fiat family produces.

Renault

The French automaker Renault disappeared from the American shores during the later part of the twentieth century. It retreated across the pond when the gas crisis and rising import prices crippled its ales in the United States. However Renault maintains a presence in the United States today as the owner of Nissan and Infiniti. Renault also had an operating interest in American Motors before the company was sold to Chrysler in the 1990s. Carlos Ghosn, the chief operating officer of Nissan/Renault provides a strong leadership role, especially in the drive to produce green energy efficient cars for the world wide market .

It is not an illusion that cars all look alike, most are built by a hand full of manufacturers. Although this reduces costs to the manufacturer it also limits the choices available to auto enthusiasts.