Recent litigation, in this case regarding CO₂ tailpipe emissions, would normally place Porsche in a position where they'd be unable to meet the standard without compromising some aspect of its vehicles. In plain speak, Porsches pollute too much by EU standards.
Enter Volkswagen.
The acquisition of VW allows Porsche to offset the former greater "cleanliness" of the VW offerings against its own vehicles. The net result is that combined companies to levels just below those set by the recent laws. Or more importantly, the EU regulators won't charge Porsche and Volkswagensome 400 million euros, or nearly $600 million, in fines.
Our take? It's a shame that Porsche won't necessarily be forced into creating cars that are much cleaner.
via Hemscott