The green light has been given for a shared vehicle architecture strategy between German car giants Audi and Porsche.

Rupert Stadler and Oliver Blume, the Board of Management Chairmen of AUDI AG and Porsche AG, plan to 'cooperate even more closely'. Both brands say the objective of the new initiative is to shape the mobility of the future together.

Through the effective application of development capacities, additional scope is to be created for the topics of electrification, digitisation and autonomous driving. This will 'enhance competitiveness', allowing the two companies can optimally utilise the opportunities for future model generations and better meet the challenges.

“The best brains of both companies will together set the technical course for the future,” stated Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “We are united by many shared values, above all, by our pursuit of the best solutions and the best offerings for our customers.”

The focus is on the joint development of shared vehicle architectures, modules and components. Project work will take place in various areas, each of which will be jointly headed by a representative of each brand.

“Together, we will make faster progress in the race for the mobility of the future. We will utilize the expertise of both companies and take advantage of synergies,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG. “We will cooperate wherever it makes sense. But we will also be very careful to maintain the differentiation between our brands. A Porsche is always a Porsche, and that will remain so in the future.”

Collaboration within the Volkswagen Group is nothing new. Audi, VW and Porsche have worked together for many years in the area of SUVs, and with the new development cooperation, Porsche and Audi says both brands are 'positioning themselves for the next decade'.