Who does VW own?
Do you know just how many car brands are owned by the VW group? Let us run you through the list
){kind=logo}
Unless you’re a petrol head, you might not have heard of the VW Group and find yourself asking, ‘who does VW own?’
Volkswagen (VW) is iconic in its own right, with popular models like the Polo, Golf, T-Roc and up!, but the VW Group owns a number of other big brands.
And, many of these coveted VW models have cousins from other car brands in the Group, such as the SEAT Ibiza (the Polo’s counterpart) and the Audi A3 (based on the Golf).
You may know some of them, but we bet there are a couple you didn’t know about – learn about them all below.
)
What brands do VW own?
VW and VW Commercial Vehicles (VWCV)
VW is one of the oldest car brands still going strong, with its roots spanning back to 1937. From the Beetle to the ID. Buzz, it’s recognised around the world as a proper family lifestyle brand. and has experienced massive growth throughout the years.
Since 1995, sister brand VW Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) has been building and selling light commercial vehicles. Its current focus on mobility and autonomy position it as a true innovator in the space.
Audi
 "Audi A1 front three quarters")
Audi is one of the most popular go-to luxury car brands in the world, responsible for models such as the A3, A4, A5 and more.
It’s recently branched into class-leading electric cars, making it one of the more diverse brands in the VW Group’s portfolio.
Plus, with a 2026 entry into Formula One, the Group will be working harder than ever to design the greatest engines and aerodynamics in the world.
When did VW buy Audi?
Audi has a long history that goes back over 100 years to 1909. The first Audi production car launched in 1921 – the Audi Type K.
The VW Group took full ownership of Audi in 1966, after buying 50% of the brand from Daimler-Benz a couple of years before that.
Two big reasons the VW Group purchased Audi were the brand’s engineering expertise and production capacity, which helped the Group grow.
SEAT
)
SEAT is another brand that goes for high-quality and good value, offering plenty of different vehicles that range from chunky SUVS to peppy city cars.
Like Škoda, SEAT shares plenty of models and parts with VW. But, unlike its budget-focused Czech counterpart, SEAT is positioned on the same level of quality as VW itself.
Popular models include the León (based on the VW Golf) and Ateca (built on the same platform as the VW T-Roc and Škoda Karoq).
When did VW buy SEAT?
The VW Group collects car manufacturers like Pokémon cards, and SEAT was added to its collection in 1986.
Originally founded in 1950, the Spanish brand was a homegrown project by the Instituto Nacional de Industria (in partnership with Fiat and Spanish private banks) to boost the country’s limited automobile market.
It was the Spanish government that offered the VW Group the chance to take over SEAT, with the Group happy to gain a foothold in the Spanish market.
CUPRA
 "Cupra Born front")
CUPRA is to SEAT what Tesco’s Finest is to standard Tesco food – adding a bit of pizzazz to the standard product.
It started as a racing team and became the sporty sister brand as it separated from SEAT in 2018.
When did VW buy CUPRA?
CUPRA, originally known as ‘Cup Racing’ has been around since the mid-1990s, and first displayed its badge on SEAT’s Ibiza and León models.
Since the VW Group bought SEAT before CUPRA was born, it’s always been owned by the parent company, and continues to be.
Škoda
 "Skoda Octavia front three quarters")
Škoda is known for building solid cars at great value, so they’re favourites for family cars and daily drivers.
Owned by the VW Group, Škoda models are often more affordable versions of VW models. The Škoda Citigo and VW up! are based on the same platform – as are the Škoda Fabia and VW Polo, and the Škoda Octavia and VW Golf.
When did VW buy Škoda?
VW bought Škoda back in 1991, but the brands had been unofficially collaborating since the 70s.
This was a big move for Škoda. After starting out as a bicycle company in the 1890s, it moved onto motorcycles before starting on cars in 1905.
Since Škoda started life in Czechia, VW added it to the Group for better access to the Eastern European markets Škoda was already established in.
Lamborghini
 "Lamborghini Huracan driving")
You may not think it, but VW – known mostly for family favourites – owns Lamborghini, the brand that makes crazy supercars.
Makers of some of the most coveted cars on the market, with models like the Huracan and Urus featured on bedroom wall posters around the world, Lambo adds another string to the Group’s bow.
And, VW Group parts are still shared with Lamborghini’s outlandish cars, with the Urus in particular being closely related to the VW Touareg and Audi Q7.
When did VW buy Lamborghini?
Automobili Lamborghini was founded in 1963, with its first production car debuting in 1964 – the 350 GT.
But, before it made cars, Lamborghini Trattori actually made tractors. It still does to this day, but the two sides of the brand have been separate since 1973.
Audi bought Lamborghini (the car brand) in 1998 for $110 million (£84 million), and, since the VW Group owns Audi, it became the third luxury car brandin the Group (after Bugatti and Bentley).
The Automobili Lamborghini brand is said to be worth billions of pounds today.
Bentley
)
Bentley (next to Rolls-Royce) is one of THE luxury car brands and has given us iconic cars like the Continental GT, Bentayga, and the Flying Spur.
These aren’t your everyday motors, but instead favoured by those who enjoy the finer things in life.
It started out making sports cars but now makes SUVs, saloons and, most recently, electric cars.
When did VW buy Bentley?
W.O. Bentley founded his car company in 1919 where he set out “to build a fast car, a good car, the best in class.”
In 1998, the VW Group bought both Bentley and Rolls-Royce from Vickers before selling the latter to BMW that same year.
Porsche
)
Many people dream of growing up to own a Porsche – there's a reason why it’s one of the cars of choice for affluent motorists.
The Porsche 911 is the one that most jump to, but there’s also the (slightly) more affordable Cayman, uber-impressive electric Taycan, and luxurious Cayenne SUV.
When did VW buy Porsche?
Porsche was originally founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche as an automotive consultancy.
In an interesting full-circle moment, it actually helped to develop a precursor to the original VW Beetle, before going on to make its first production car, the Type 356, in 1948.
It was a good while until the VW Group purchased Porsche for itself when, in 2012, it finally purchased the remaining 50.1% of the brand.
That was after Porsche, which owned 50.7% of VW at the time, tried to buy up the remaining 49.3% in 2008. It didn’t take, and the VW Group decided to buy 49.9% of Porsche instead.
Ducati
One for the motorcyclists out there, VW Group also owns one of the most famous bike brands on the planet: Ducati.
Technically, the VW Group’s other Italian brand, Lamborghini, owns Ducati. But since the VW Group owns Lamborghini, Ducati falls under its umbrella, too.
It produces iconic bikes like the Monster and Multistrada and has a rich racing heritage.
When did VW buy Ducati?
Ducati was founded in 1926, making history in the 1960s by producing the fastest 250cc road bike at the time – the Mach 1.
Ducati was purchased by the VW Group (through Lamborghini) in 2012, allowing the Group to expand into the high-performance motorbike market.
What is VW Group?
Before we go – do you know the difference between Volkswagen and the Volkswagen Group?
VW is a car brand that makes excellent cars like the Polo and T-Roc. Volkswagen the brand sits underneath the Volkswagen Group umbrella, alongside the other brands the group has acquired, such as Audi, Lamborghini, and Porsche.
So, Volkswagen is a brand within the Volkswagen Group, but the Volkswagen Group is officially known as Volkswagen AG. And every VW is a VW Group car, but not every VW Group car is a VW. Phew...