Volkswagen Could Part Ways with Lamborghini and Ducati

Volkswagen is reportedly considering the sale of two of its most iconic assets – Italian supercar manufacturer Lamborghini and motorcycle brand Ducati. According to the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the matter, the potential divestment could form part of a broader cost-cutting program being prepared as the German automotive giant grapples with prolonged financial pressures.

The idea reportedly gained momentum following the recent sale of a controlling stake in Everllence, Volkswagen’s marine engine division. The transaction generated higher-than-expected proceeds and appears to have encouraged management to explore whether shedding non-core or capital-intensive assets could help strengthen the group’s balance sheet. Volkswagen has not officially commented on the future of Lamborghini or Ducati.

Lamborghini became part of the Volkswagen Group in 1998 when it was acquired through Audi. At the time, the deal was valued at approximately $110 million. Nearly three decades later, the situation looks very different. Analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence estimate the brand’s current value at more than $22 billion. During the most recent financial year, Lamborghini generated roughly $888 million in profit, making it one of the group’s most consistently profitable automotive assets.

Speculation about the possible sale of the two premium brands comes amid broader challenges facing Volkswagen. The company has previously been linked to plans that could involve significant workforce reductions and factory closures as it attempts to improve efficiency and competitiveness. The group is facing mounting pressure from Chinese automakers, which continue to expand aggressively across both European and global markets.

At the same time, Volkswagen requires substantial investment to accelerate its transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. Industry observers note that maintaining competitiveness in the EV era demands enormous capital expenditures, particularly as Chinese manufacturers continue to set the pace in battery technology, software integration, and production scale.

Should Volkswagen ultimately decide to sell Lamborghini and Ducati, the move would rank among the most significant transactions in the European automotive industry in recent years. It would also signal a willingness to part with highly profitable prestige brands in order to concentrate financial resources on the group’s core transformation strategy.