Volkswagen and Porsche will set up a research and development center in Qatar, reports Arabian Business. Yes, you did read right, Qatar. Qatar Holding has signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), Volkswagen and Porsche. According to the MOU, research and development, testing and training facilities will be built in Doha. “Other avenues of cooperation” may also be visited.Qatar Science & Technology Park’s executive chairman, Dr Tidu Maini, hopes that through the deal Qatar will get its hands on “a range of proprietary technologies with applications in the automotive sector and access to infrastructure necessary to undertake further applied research with leading organisations.”
Both Porsche and Volkswagen are quite at home in the neighborhood. They like to test their cars there, and had recent business dealings with the government.
The fact that Qatar’s Emir, Sheik Hamad bin Dschassim bin Dschaber al-Thani, helped Volkswagen to engineer their reverse takeover of Porsche, which got the Sheik 10 percent of Porsche and 17 percent of Volkswagen, probably impacted the decision not at all.
Tagged as Bwertel Schmitt, Germany, know-how transfer, Porsche, Qatar, R&D Center, Volkswagen
2 Comments on “VW And Porsche To Set Up Major Research Center In Qatar...”
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So with Lower Saxony owning 20% and Qatar Holdings owning 17 percent. Is VW really 37 % Government owned?
It appears to be driving their decisions vs good business practice.
Of course making your larger share holders happy could be considered good business.
It would be interesting to know how the Iranian neighbours will see this… since they’re the biggest producers of cars in that area.