Volkswagen Starts Takeover of Suzuki

It was jointly announced last week that Volkswagen Group has acquired a 20 percent stake in Suzuki Motor Corp. This is said to be the first stage of a full takeover. The 20 percent of Suzuki was acquired for $2.5 billion.

Volkswagen aims to have full control over Suzuki to surpass Toyota Motor Corp. as the world’s largest automaker. Suzuki’s automotive production last year of about 2.4 million vehicles would put VW well on the way toward that goal.

If Volkswagen was to have full control of Suzuki they would be the eleventh brand under the VW umbrella. Additionally, Volkswagen is still in a very complex process of taking controlling ownership of Porsche AG.