Those operating profits are due, in part, to VW’s sweeping Modularer Baukasten (“modular toolbox”) production strategy that, while dizzying in execution, is a fairly straightforward drive to increase design/engineering commonality among products in the Group’s eight brands, from Seat and VW to Porsche and Bentley.
For example: Our test car for the week, the 2014 Audi SQ5 (mostly loaded, $64,195), comprises a set of parts conforming to VW’s “modular longitudinal matrix,” the hard points of which are common with Audi sedans, coupes and crossovers, as well as the new Porsche Macan. In fact, the SQ5 shares about a third of its parts with Porsche’s compact crossover.
Honey, do I smell sausage? I love you!