Porsche Automobile Holding announced that it now holds 50.76 percent of Volkswagen which in turn generates a mandatory takeover of Scania Group . Porsche Automobile Holding purchased an additional 8.16 percent worth of Volkswagen stock, about $8.5 billion dollars worth bringing it from 42.6 percent to 50.76 percent.

In earlier reports Porsche Automobile Holding stated it initially planned to raise its stake in VW to over 50 percent by year’s end 2008. New reports state that Porsche still plans to increase its stake in VW to at least 75 percent by mid 2009 as long as the market is favorable.

As a result of Volkswagen’s takeover, Porsche now has indirect control of Scania and since Volkswagen owned about 69 percent of voting rights of Swedish truck maker Scania, Porsche is required by Swedish law to make a mandatory takeover offer. In statements made earlier Porsche Automobile Holding stated it had no interest in Scania and is not interested in acquiring its shares but would consider a deal with German industrial conglomerate MAN LG who currently own about 20 present of voting rights in Scania, MAN’s strategic interest in Scania will possibly be beneficial for everyone.

Ironic, Volkswagen is the biggest shareholder in both MAN, AG and Scania Group.

The Scania Group is a Swedish based company that manufacturer of heavy trucks and buses as well as industrial and marine engines. The company also markets and sells a broad range of service-related products and financing services. MAN AG is a German based company and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of engineering equipment and commercial vehicles. MAN supplies trucks, buses, diesel engines, turbomachinery, as well as industrial services and holds leading market positions in all its business areas.

Image used under Creative Commons by LeaseTrader.com.

The need is a familiar one and one that has been negotiated over for decades. The new car. The family never wants to buy a new car, they always seem to be forced into it. Like a new baby, the new car never seems to come along when money is handy and the stars are aligned. For most of us the need also hits when the trade-in vehicle is at its lowest value and needs a good clean-up and tune-up. This year may be a little different for some of us. The economy and stock market look lake a pong game gone wrong and the car manufacturers are all aching for a Washington bailout. Finally one thing on our side. At least at the beginning of 2009 the car market still seems to be hurting and with that is bargaining chips for the buyer. The big three generally have the same incentives and while one’s cars are more expensive than the next perhaps, let’s focus on Chrysler.

Companies like Chrysler has started to arrange their dealerships to offer more of a variety of vehicles from which to choose. Aside from Chrysler and Dodge products is also offered the Jeep line. Chrysler has some great car options like the PT Cruiser or the Challenger which are both retro updates. Now combines with Dodge their minivan options are pretty price fluid as well from the Dodge Caravan and the Chrysler Town and Country, which is the pricer of the two. Let’s take a look at the most utilitarian side of the company as well as the company’s most loyal brand when it comes to customers – the Jeep.

Fact: When trading in your car as you purchase another start by examining the current book value of the car on Kelly Blue Book. This blue book only goes back to about 1989. Beyond that one should use an expert as myself to determine value and where to sell. You have to know what you have before you can start bargaining. Hopefully you’re not upside down in any kind of lease in 2009 since most car companies are staying away from leases. Lease information click here.

The family cars in the Jeep line for 2009 are the Commander, the Patriot, the compass and the Liberty. Gone are the days of the stripped down Cherokee Sport and basic Wrangler which was the Jeep’s side of “check a box” and it’s yours. For years Jeep offered the two vehicles with just a couple of package options and built up a loyal branding with its base of crazy customers. Some 85% of Wrangler buyers with buy another Wrangler as their next car. 

• The Jeep Patriot MSRP is $17,920.
• The Jeep Compass MSRP is $18,845.
• The Jeep Liberty MSRP is $23,460.
• The Jeep Wrangler 4D MSRP is $23,565.
• The Jeep Commander MSRP is $29, 210.
• The Jeep Grand Cherokee MSRP is $30,380.

Out of these six vehicles only 3 can truly be considered for family car status. The Jeep Patriot, Compass and Liberty are all family car levels. When talking about the Commander and Grand Cherokee these cars are at the $30,000 mark when you even add any options so while they are family friendly as far as space, the cost quickly cuts them out of the average budget range of the family buyer. This wasn’t necessarily the case until recently. Not long ago when leasing was still an option these higher priced cars were not only desirable but they were quite common. Now be prepared to have over 650 credit score and even then the payment for one of these cars is $550 a month to start. As for the Jeep Wrangler it is for sure in the right price range at $23,000, but once you add a hardtop and automatic transmission to the mix the packages quickly hit the $30,000 mark putting it just out of the running for an affordable family car. And, really, who wants a soft top four door? You’ll never take the top down, it’ll be noisey, cold or hot and rough on the kids when compared to the other choices. The 4D Wrangler is just another must have for the Jeep Wrangler nutcase and just a fad to boot.

Fact: Try to stay with the same dealership you bought your last new car from since loyalty can be a bargaining chip in price. Dealership salesmen are taught to sell cars by monthly payment so do you number homework before you go. Don’t be afraid to get the salesman to explain how we gets to the numbers he’s presenting to you. Often times by getting the salesman to explain his numbers even though you understand them  will open up a chance for negotiating some price points or package content.

If you’re a fan of the discontinued Cherokee that Jeep just got rid of then the Patriot is your car. Sorry, but there is a big caveat. The Patriot is only a four-cylinder offering. This means little power and while the gas mileage might be 28/gal, you’re just not going to have the pick up in the Compass or the Liberty. To stay at the $17,920 price point is also going to mean a manual transmission and no chance of four wheel drive. The same can be said of the Compass. When talking 4WD the price shoots to over $20,595 which is still a good price. The Patriot and Compass can be so whittled down in options that a manual window crank version is even offered, something most kids exposed only to new cars have never seen before. When you are out to find a great priced entry level into the Jeep family either of these two vehicles can be negotiated to very affordable prices that haven’t seen the light of day since the late 1990s a decade ago.

Hands on: Marietta Chrysler, Chrysler, Jeep, Kelly Blue Book. Zip code 30068 sales reps for Chrysler: Frank Sobeck & Mike Booth (please tell them Greg sent you).

Finally it is the Jeep Liberty 2WD Sport edition that is your best family Jeep vehicle and if you can splurge on an option it should be the 4WD at a MSRP of just $25,070 the extra money is going to be worth it when it comes to resale when you’re looking for that next new car.