As expected, VW's acquisition and integration of Porsche into its empire is now complete. Porsche will sit at the top of the tree to produce focused sports cars (plus the not-so-focused Cayenne, Cajun and Panamera ranges). Audi will be the premium brand. Volkswagen will be mainstream brand.

Bugatti, Bentley and Lamborghini will complement Porsche at the top end. Skoda will sit below VW at the value end. It could well be the end of the road for SEAT.

This collection of brands represents a formidable line-up of cars. But maintaining the individuality of each without creating unnecessary or unprofitable product overlap will not be easy. We've discussed this here in some detail.

When the merger first took place, many Audifans questioned what would happen to Audi, whether it would lose its cachet as Porsche became the jewel in the VW crown. While Dr Piech is chairman of VW and a family shareholder in Porsche, much of what Audi is today is thanks to his extraordinary ability and determination. If Audi is his child, he will not want to se it occupy a reduced position within the empire.

I wonder whether the time has now come to re-christen the enlarged group as 'Auto Union'?