Sunset VW is a team of dedicated experts focusing specifically on Volkswagen Group cars. Naturally, that includes VWs like the Golf, Polo, Tiguan, Passat, Transporter, Beetle, Scirocco and so on. But the Volkswagen Group also consists of several other well-known brands.
For that reason, we’ll spend this blog post looking at the Volkswagen Group and its car brands, from its beginnings in Germany to its current position of global significance. Over the years, Volkswagen’s journey of strategic company acquisitions and expansions has created many of the cars we all know and love today. Here, we take a closer look at the incredible list of brands the Volkswagen Group owns.
Car brands owned by the Volkswagen Group
The Volkswagen Group is the parent company owning all the brands below (to some extent).
Volkswagen
No prizes for this guess! The Volkswagen – people’s car in German – started life in Germany. After the Second World War came to an end, the British ordered 20,000 for the military. Over the following years, it became known as the ‘Beetle’ (or ‘Bug’ in North America) – and the rest is history. Today, Volkswagen represents reliability, innovation and accessibility, offering something for everyone at the highest possible quality.
Audi
Volkswagen bought a 50% share in Audi in the mid-1960s. Audi brings sophistication and cutting-edge technology to the table. Known for sleek designs, top-notch performance and smooth ride quality, Audi vehicles are the epitome of modern luxury and engineering prowess.
SEAT (Cupra)
SEAT is based in sunny Spain and injects energy and flair into the Volkswagen Group. Its stylish cars are perfect for those who crave excitement on the road. Despite a long love affair with the British population, SEAT will soon stop producing cars as Volkswagen focuses more on Cupra, SEAT’s sporty brand.
Škoda
Škoda combines Czech engineering with practicality and family-friendly features. These fantastic cars are known for being spacious and smartly designed, making them a favourite among budget-conscious families. And with good reason. Škoda maintains all the engineering prowess of other Volkswagen Group vehicles with less of the showmanship – perfect for all sorts of people.
Bentley
Speaking of showmanship, let’s talk about Bentley. Bentley is synonymous with luxury and exclusivity. Each Bentley is a masterpiece, crafted with meticulous attention to detail for those who demand nothing but the best. These are some of the best vehicles money can buy.
Bugatti
Bugatti’s current ownership status is a little complex, but Volkswagen bought it in 1998. Although VW sold the brand in 2021, Bugatti is still closely associated with the Volkswagen Group (through Porsche). Bugatti pushes the limits of automotive engineering with its hypercars, like the Veyron and Chiron. These rare beauties are utterly unique feats of engineering.
Lamborghini
The VW Group acquired the Lamborghini brand in 2008. Lamborghini embodies passion, performance, and Italian flair. They’re the cars that young children want on their bedroom wall posters—outrageous, sleek and dead quick. From the daring designs to the roaring engines, Lamborghinis’ sole purpose is to turn heads and deliver an exhilarating driving experience.
Porsche
Porsche’s legal ownership situation is also complicated, but it is owned by Volkswagen and has been since 2009. Porsche stands for precision, heritage and excellence, bringing incredible models and standout powertrains to the roads and tracks. With models like the legendary 911 and popular Cayenne, Porsche vehicles offer a perfect blend of performance and everyday usability.
Powering the world of business
Beyond the everyday (or out-there) passenger cars, the Volkswagen Group plays a pivotal role in commercial vehicles. It owns three significant brands:
- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – vans and other LGVs (light goods vehicles)
- MAN is one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in the world (with slightly higher output than Scania)
- Scania is also one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in the world, focusing on vehicles with larger engines
MAN and Scania are part of the Traton Group, which is owned by Volkswagen.
A note on the future: embracing electric
With today’s environmental and political landscapes, all manufacturers are looking to the future and building sustainable approaches. The Volkswagen Group is arguably the most forthright with its plans, making no secret of its ambition to switch to fully electric vehicle output as soon as possible.
We’re seeing the Volkswagen Group’s leading brands – VW, Audi and Porsche – leading the charge (no pun intended) with the ID family, e-tron models and the electric Taycan. The path ahead is uncertain, but Volkswagen has a plan to navigate it.
Bring your Volkswagen Group car for a service with Sunset VW
And so, whether you drive a VW, Audi, Skoda, SEAT, Cupra, Porsche, Bentley or even a Lamborghini or Bugatti, a Volkswagen Group vehicle means becoming embracing the quality, reliability and innovation you’d expect. Each brand is unique and carefully reflects you as an owner, retaining individual identities despite sharing knowledge and engineering expertise across the various marques.
At Sunset VW, we take pride in servicing Volkswagen Group vehicles with dedication and precision. Our team of skilled technicians and modern facilities ensure your VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat or any other Volkswagen Group vehicle receives the highest standard of care. Rest assured that your vehicle is in good hands with us.
Schedule your service with us and discover why our passion for Volkswagen Group vehicles shines through in every repair and maintenance task. Don’t wait until your vehicle shows signs of trouble—book your service now to ensure your Volkswagen Group vehicle continues to perform at its best.
We look forward to hearing from you.