VW and Porsche to merge

German automakers Volkswagen and Porsche have reached an agreement to merge operations — the latest move in an industry that has seen whiplash changes in recent weeks. The two companies have been in talks in recent weeks about merging manufacturing operations. A statement released on the Porsche Web site said the management boards of Porsche and Volkswagen have agreed in principle for the creation of an integrated car manufacturing group.

"In the final structure ten brands shall stand below an integrative leading company alongside each other, whereby the independence of all brands and explicitly also of Porsche shall be ensured," the statement said.

Porsche had been aggressively trying to take over Volkswagen, building a 51 percent stake in the company with ambitions to raise the stake to 75 percent. But Porsche also built a debt of nearly $12 billion as the world automotive market began to shrink during the financial crisis.