Whether we like it or not the face of motoring as we know it today is going to change going forward – a world of strict emissions and congestion taxes will limit the freedom we’ve enjoyed to date. A recent story reinforces this with suggestions that Volkswagen Group is re-thinking its strategy on certain brands – by 2025 Volkswagen expects to expend 30 billion euros into electrification technology alone, by 2030 electrification will exceed 40 percent within all of the products under the Volkswagen Group umbrella. By 2050 it aims to have a fully CO2 neutral range in terms of both product and their manufacturing process. While the German groups products like Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Porsche and Audi bring consistent returns others like Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti and
Ducati appear to have little relevance going forward in a world of lower emissions. As one company strategist put it “Why invest on a backward looking enterprise when you can support a trendsetter? A proud history and excellent craftsmanship alone don’t cut it anymore.” Volkswagen Group Chairman Herbert Diess suggests “ in the long run we want to scale back the portfolio of conventional models and concentrate instead on a fast growing family of EV’s.” Under this strategy V12 engines and manual gearboxes seemed destined to history – Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini for this reason under threat going forward with Herbert Diess confirming “I am not prepared to let every sports car have its own bespoke drivetrain.” Sadly, the world of mobility is changing and old world values and charm will soon be lost – enjoy it while you can. I’m David Berthon

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