[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

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Originally Posted by MikeD

Finally somebody other than me, who's not that impressed with german cars. I have always been into Italian and French car brands, and especially the rare sport cars.

On the matter of there will be effects on the VW motorsport programs .... trust me there will. If you follow CNBC or Bloomberg, you will get the sense of how serious this actually is ... not only for the many law suits awaiting them, but also for future earnings for the company. There is a reason that Angela Merkel is involved in this now, and that's because German carmakers, is 20% of the total German exports!!

I do think, due the the company called VW, that it's actually that brand that will be most under threat, and I do expects the VW program in the WRC to be stopped by the end of this year at the latest. The last thing they want with the VW brand is to participate in what is percieved as a poluting by the normal people. Furthermore, the VW group will actually have to look at the political interest in the company, and their stockholders more than anything. So I guess cost-cutting will be on the agenda, after the law-suits have been settles, and there is no way that the WRC program will fit into that.

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Every country that has a competing car production will want to exploit this opportunity of trying to take down VW. South Korea, France, Italy, USA etc.
The same (wrongfully) happened the last time Audi tried to get in to the US market (the withdrew, but the damage was contained in the US.)

Regarding the WRC program I would not think that this will be affected. This will be a big blow for VW, and they will have to pay out many billions of dollars, but they are a HUGE company, with a HUGE revenue, so the cash payments won't be what hurts the most.

But stock prices now down 35% is worse. Stock prices is off course only fantasy money, but VW now needs to work very hard to earn the stock buyers thrust. And will do that as soon as things have been settled, and payments done etc, and the first quarter they start a positive progression in the market after that. If money comes in and everybody is happy, the market will have thrust.

The WRC program is such a small part of the VW, but still an important brand builder, so its very unlikely of this moment (if not something else happens) that the plug will be pulled. But had they've been in Hyundais position, this could be the "perfect" escape, like both Suzuki and Subaru used the financial crisis as a "force majour" excuse to pull the plug on their WRC efforts, even tough it really was other aspects that was more important than that. Like not being competitive - for whatever reason.

If I have one tip in all this VW crisis hysteria, is to wait until You think the stocks have hit rock bottom (not long), and buy VW stocks. You can potentially earn a lot of money.

Stories from Motorsport News today:

Meeke says he is prepared to leave Citroen to stay in the World Rally Championship. Frustrated by a lack of progress in talks - but then again Matton is likely more concerned about keeping his own job, as well as helping to decide the WRC vs WTCC debate. Article padded out by complete speculation - linking contracted drivers like Neuville and Lappi to Citroen seats.

Superlicense - Ogier calling for a superlicense due to the extra power of the 2017 cars. Seemingly a few doubts creeping in about the wisdom of the regulations. Did they actually need the extra power? Or, if you are going to give them the power - did they need all the improved aero? Basically people said on the forum as soon as it was announced.

Calendar - Was delayed but should be getting voted on round about now by the WRC Commission. That will be put forward to the WMSC meeting next week.

M-Sport 2017 car - Malcolm Wilson confirms they won't start testing until the second half of next year (effectively 12 months after VW began). Says he is unconcerned by that and they have experience with the centre diffs. Says modifying a current car would be a waste of money for them. Meanwhile VW say they will begin tarmac testing soon. Diether Depping and Marcus Gronholm will do the early work.

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Originally Posted by Simmi

... Meanwhile VW say they will begin tarmac testing soon. Diether Depping and Marcus Gronholm will do the early work.

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Which said VW is strongly committed to WRC despite company's crisis times I believe.

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Originally Posted by stefanvv

Which said VW is strongly committed to WRC despite company's crisis times I believe.

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Any quotes will likely have been gathered before the emissions story really took off. VW/Capito will surely be asked about that once the rally begins next week. It's too early to say what the implications are for motorsport. But unless they hear different the team just continue as normal.

Thanks for the news Simmi! VW will continue for sure because they are dominating like hell

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Originally Posted by Simmi

Any quotes will likely have been gathered before the emissions story really took off. VW/Capito will surely be asked about that once the rally begins next week. It's too early to say what the implications are for motorsport. But unless they hear different the team just continue as normal.

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Of course, but if there is any shadow of doubt they might delay '17 plans development instead throw away some more money on it... I think

They're not going anywhere:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...-wrc-dominance

Frightening thought, really.

Maybe not, but don't expect Winterkorn to be in charge after the meeting this afternoon - or at latest Friday's Board meeting.

This scandal could very easily spiral completely out of control.....

WRC is positive PR for VW
and they need all good PR now.

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Originally Posted by pantealex

WRC is positive PR for VW
and they need all good PR now.

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You are right but it is not positive on an ecological point of view. At the moment is very hard to make a prediction. Winterkorn could go away and you don't know who will be in charge next. Or maybe he will stay and change politics radically. Let's see how events will evolve. I think they have not even thought about WRC at the moment, they have many other priorities.