After the Nardo failed to compete in the super and exotic car markets, Volkswagen bought out Lamborghini.  After the Phaeton bombed in the luxury car markets, Volkswagen bought out Audi.   So what’s the lesson here?  Never toy with a famous brand name that is already permanently etched in the minds of the consumer.

Volkswagen is all about cars for the masses – cheap but dependable.  If you have $300 grand, you would get a Ferrari, not a Volkswagen Nardo.  And if you have $100 grand, you would get a BMW, not a Volkswagen Phaeton.  The company learned that the hard way.

Good thing they are awash in cash.  So they bought the marquees Audi and Lamborghini to cover the markets that have eluded them for generations – the upscale luxury and exotic car markets.