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Audi AG

Automotive Manufacturing / Premium VehiclesFounded 1909
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: September 2026

Acquisitions

Audi Acquisitions

4

Major Deals Covered

$1.2B

Disclosed Deal Value

What are Audi's biggest acquisitions?

Audi's largest disclosed acquisition here is Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. for $1.1B in 2012. This page covers 4 major deals from 1998 to 2024, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.

Major deals covered
4
Largest deal
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. ($1.1B)
First deal
1998
Most recent
2024
CompanyYearPricePurpose
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.1998$110.0MVolkswagen learned that Lamborghini was available when its owners approached Audi for an engine for a prototype, and Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. was acquired on 10 July 1998, with Audi given operational responsibility. The aim was a halo brand for the group's premium end and an outlet for shared high-performance engineering. Press reports at the time put the price at about 110 million US dollars; Audi did not confirm a figure.
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.2012$1.1BThe Volkswagen Group acquired the Italian premium motorcycle maker in 2012, with operational responsibility assigned to Audi, to extend the group's premium positioning into two wheels and share engineering in high-performance combustion engines, lightweight materials and rider assistance electronics.
Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A.2010UndisclosedOn 9 August 2010 Audi took a 90.1 percent stake in the Turin design and engineering house Italdesign Giugiaro, including the brand rights and patents, through its Italian subsidiary Lamborghini Holding. The aim was to bring styling, rapid prototyping and low-volume engineering capacity inside the group rather than buying it from third parties. Audi acquired the remaining 9.9 percent on 28 June 2015, when Giorgetto Giugiaro left the firm. Neither price was disclosed.
Sauber Group2024UndisclosedAudi announced its Formula 1 entry in 2022, took an initial stake in the Swiss Sauber team in 2023, and in March 2024 said it would take a 100 percent stake in the Sauber Group, turning the Hinwil operation into its own works team. The purpose was to field a factory entry under the 2026 power unit rules, with the engine built at Audi's motorsport site in Neuburg. The price was not disclosed.
What companies has Audi bought?
Major acquisitions by Audi documented here include Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (2012), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (1998), Sauber Group (2024) and Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. (2010).
What is Audi's most recent acquisition?
The most recent Audi acquisition documented here is Sauber Group, in 2024.

Sauber Group

2024

Why

Audi announced its Formula 1 entry in 2022, took an initial stake in the Swiss Sauber team in 2023, and in March 2024 said it would take a 100 percent stake in the Sauber Group, turning the Hinwil operation into its own works team. The purpose was to field a factory entry under the 2026 power unit rules, with the engine built at Audi's motorsport site in Neuburg. The price was not disclosed.

Impact

Audi combined the Hinwil chassis operation with its own power unit programme in Bavaria and a technology centre in the United Kingdom, and appointed its own leadership for the project.

Outcome

The team raced for the first time in 2026 as the Audi Revolut F1 Team, starting at the Australian Grand Prix on 8 March 2026. Audi describes the programme as a way to raise the brand's global visibility.

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Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.

2012

$1.1B

Why

The Volkswagen Group acquired the Italian premium motorcycle maker in 2012, with operational responsibility assigned to Audi, to extend the group's premium positioning into two wheels and share engineering in high-performance combustion engines, lightweight materials and rider assistance electronics.

Impact

Under Audi, Ducati widened its range with the Multistrada and Panigale V4 families and introduced radar-based adaptive cruise control for motorcycles. Volkswagen examined a sale of the brand in 2017 and abandoned the process; Audi CEO Rupert Stadler confirmed in December 2017 that Ducati would be kept.

Outcome

Ducati remains part of the Audi Group. In 2025 it delivered 50,895 motorcycles, down from 54,495 in 2024, with revenue of ~$1.05 billion (925 million euros) and operating profit of ~$58.8 million (52 million euros), a 5.6 percent operating margin.

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Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A.

2010

Why

On 9 August 2010 Audi took a 90.1 percent stake in the Turin design and engineering house Italdesign Giugiaro, including the brand rights and patents, through its Italian subsidiary Lamborghini Holding. The aim was to bring styling, rapid prototyping and low-volume engineering capacity inside the group rather than buying it from third parties. Audi acquired the remaining 9.9 percent on 28 June 2015, when Giorgetto Giugiaro left the firm. Neither price was disclosed.

Impact

Italdesign worked on styling, clay and digital surface development and low-volume vehicle programmes for the Volkswagen Group's brands, alongside contract engineering for outside customers.

Outcome

In December 2025 the Audi Group agreed a strategic partnership with the United States technology company UST, which took a majority stake in Italdesign. Automobili Lamborghini retains a minority equity interest.

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Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

1998

$110M

Why

Volkswagen learned that Lamborghini was available when its owners approached Audi for an engine for a prototype, and Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. was acquired on 10 July 1998, with Audi given operational responsibility. The aim was a halo brand for the group's premium end and an outlet for shared high-performance engineering. Press reports at the time put the price at about 110 million US dollars; Audi did not confirm a figure.

Impact

Lamborghini was brought onto group architectures while keeping its own design and assembly at Sant Agata Bolognese. The clearest example is the MLB Evo platform, shared by the Lamborghini Urus, the Audi Q8 and the Porsche Cayenne.

Outcome

Lamborghini is the highest-margin brand in the Audi Group. In 2025 it delivered 10,747 cars, up slightly on 2024, with revenue of ~$3.61 billion (3,197 million euros) and operating profit of ~$868 million (768 million euros), a 24.0 percent operating margin, against 27.0 percent in 2024.

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Audi AG's Growth & Acquisition Strategy

Audi's growth plan has three legs. First, a compressed model offensive: more than 20 new models arrived across 2024 and 2025, and the 2026 additions are led by the Q9, the A2 e-tron, the third-generation Q7, the reworked Q4 e-tron and the RS 5. Second, electrification on the 800-volt Premium Platform Electric built with Porsche, which underpins the Q6 e-tron and A6 e-tron; the fixed 2033 combustion cut-off announced in 2021 was dropped in June 2025 in favour of keeping combustion and plug-in hybrid models available while demand lasts. Third, localisation in China, where Audi runs Premium Platform Electric production with FAW in Changchun and a separate China-only brand, AUDI, with SAIC, whose E5 Sportback launched in 2025. Cost discipline runs alongside: the 2025 agreement for the future removes up to 6,000 German jobs by 2027 and up to 1,500 more by 2029, and 65 percent of the first tranche was implemented or bindingly agreed by March 2026.

How Audi AG Makes Money

Audi designs, builds and sells premium cars, and heads the Volkswagen Group's Brand Group Progressive, which also contains Bentley, Lamborghini and Ducati. Its economics rest on shared group architectures: MLB Evo for longitudinal-engine models, MEB for entry electric cars, and the 800-volt Premium Platform Electric co-developed with Porsche. Audi carries a share of the development cost rather than all of it, then differentiates with its own body design, interiors, chassis tuning and lighting technology, and prices above the Volkswagen and Skoda models that sit on related underpinnings. Aftersales parts, certified repair and service contracts add revenue across the ownership cycle, and retail financing and leasing run through Volkswagen Financial Services rather than a separate Audi balance sheet.

Audi Acquisitions FAQ

When and why did Audi acquire Italian supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini?

In 1998, under Ferdinand Piëch's direction, Audi acquired Automobili Lamborghini for approximately $110 million, injecting German engineering discipline and V10/V12 powertrain development to turn Lamborghini into a hyper-profitable luxury icon.

When did Audi acquire Italian motorcycle icon Ducati Motor Holding?

In April 2012, Audi acquired well-known Italian performance motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding for €860 million ($1.1 billion), adding high-performance two-wheelers into the Audi Brand Group.

When did Audi acquire automotive styling and design house Italdesign Giugiaro?

Audi took a 90.1 percent stake in Italdesign Giugiaro on 9 August 2010 through its Italian subsidiary Lamborghini Holding, including the brand rights and patents, and bought the remaining 9.9 percent on 28 June 2015 when Giorgetto Giugiaro left the firm. In December 2025 the Audi Group agreed a partnership under which the United States technology company UST took a majority stake, with Lamborghini retaining a minority interest.

How did Audi acquire 100% of the Sauber Formula One team?

Between 2022 and early 2024, Audi acquired complete 100% ownership of Switzerland-based Sauber Holding AG, taking full control of the Sauber F1 team facilities in Hinwil to operate as the Audi Formula 1 factory works team in 2026.

When did Audi, BMW, and Daimler jointly acquire digital mapping company HERE Technologies?

In December 2015, a consortium of Audi, BMW Group, and Daimler acquired Nokia's HERE digital HD mapping business for €2.8 billion ($3.1 billion), securing high-definition real-time map data for autonomous driving.

What specialized battery tech investments has Audi executed?

Audi and the Volkswagen Group executed strategic investments in solid-state battery pioneer QuantumScape and European battery cell manufacturer Northvolt to secure next-generation EV battery chemistries.

What corporate restructuring occurred when Volkswagen squeezed out minority Audi shareholders in 2020?

Volkswagen AG, which already held about 99.64 percent of AUDI AG's share capital, carried out a squeeze-out of the remaining 0.36 percent in 2020. That made Audi a wholly owned Volkswagen subsidiary and ended its stock market listing; a German court later raised the compensation payable to the departing shareholders.

How does Audi integrate Lamborghini and Ducati into its consolidated R&D platform?

Audi shares carbon fiber composite manufacturing, advanced digital infotainment systems, and emissions compliance software with Lamborghini and Ducati, while preserving their independent Italian brand identities and design studios.

Does Audi own Lamborghini?

Yes, Audi acquired Lamborghini in 1998, heavily sharing V10 engine architectures with them, and also currently manages Bentley and Ducati under its specific brand group.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.