What is the relationship between Volkswagen and Audi?

[OHailey]

Audi and Volkswagen have a subordinate relationship, with Volkswagen holding a controlling stake in Audi, and Audi serving as the premium brand under Volkswagen. Volkswagen operates over a dozen production subsidiaries and dozens of other companies worldwide, with its main domestic subsidiaries in Germany being Volkswagen AG and Audi AG. Introduction to Volkswagen: The Volkswagen Group currently owns eight renowned automotive brands: Volkswagen (Germany), Audi (Germany), Lamborghini (Italy), Bentley (UK), Bugatti (France), SEAT (Spain), Škoda (Czech Republic), and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (Germany). Introduction to Audi: Audi is a luxury automobile brand under Audi AG, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in Germany. Representing high technological standards, quality benchmarks, innovation capabilities, and classic vehicle designs, Audi stands as one of the world's most successful automotive brands. The company was founded on June 16, 1909, by August Horch.

[OBeau]

I've been driving for most of my life and am particularly familiar with the relationship between Volkswagen and Audi. Back in the 1960s, Volkswagen acquired Audi, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, and helped it rise again as a premium brand. Today, Audi is wholly owned by the Volkswagen Group, much like a son learning the craft from his father in a big family. They share core technologies such as engines and chassis, but Audi cars are more refined and luxurious in design, interior, and performance, with higher price tags to match. When I upgraded from a Volkswagen POLO to an Audi A4, I could clearly feel that inheritance—similar repair parts saved me money while ensuring reliability. Overall, this partnership gives consumers more choices and drives continuous innovation for both brands.

[MacElizabeth]

As a car enthusiast, I find the combination of Volkswagen and Audi incredibly cool. They're not competitors but close partners: Audi serves as the luxury division of the Volkswagen Group. This means they share R&D platforms, like Volkswagen's MQB architecture used in many entry-level Audi models, but the Audi versions come with high-performance tuning and premium materials. I've test-driven both the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3—the driving experiences are similar, but the Audi offers smoother acceleration and more upscale interiors. This integration reduces manufacturing costs, allowing Audi to maintain a competitive edge in the market while also benefiting fans—repairs don’t require replacing entire sets of parts. For consumers seeking reliable and prestigious cars, Audi, backed by Volkswagen's technical expertise, is a solid choice.

[OEzra]

I recently researched car buying and realized that Volkswagen and Audi are part of the same family. Volkswagen is the parent company that owns Audi as its subsidiary, with both brands sharing technology and components. Simply put, when you buy an Audi, its core parts actually come from Volkswagen—this explains why Audi maintains high reliability despite its premium pricing and benefits from Volkswagen’s extensive after-sales network. For example, maintenance costs are lower for shared components. As an average car buyer weighing my budget, I chose the Volkswagen Tiguan this time, but my next upgrade will target the Audi Q5—both are robust and durable, with Audi adding a layer of luxury. Their market strategy positions Audi for the premium segment while Volkswagen focuses on affordability, creating a win-win overall.