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CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
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Volkswagen in talks to sell LeasePlan

Article By: ,  Financial Analyst
July 23, 2015 10:36 AM

German car manufacturer Volkswagen is in advanced talks to sell its stake in LeasePlan, a third-party leasing company. According to sources, the firm may be getting rid of its 50 per cent stake in a bid to cut costs and refocus its business – and the final decision is expected to be announced later this week, reports Reuters.

Based in Wolfsburg, Volkswagen owns VW Leasing GmBH. This is an in-house leasing business that increasingly relies on Volkswagen Financial Services. This makes it difficult to justify having a stake in another leasing business – LeasePlan - as well, say sources.

Recently, Volkswagen has undertaken a cost-cutting project. The firm hopes to make savings of at least €5 billion (£3.49 billion) per year by 2017 – and it wants to close the profitability gap with rivals like Toyota.

LeasePlan is based in the Netherlands and finances 1.42 million cars annually. In 2014, it reported a net profit of €372 million and sources expect it to be valued at around €3 billion. The other 50 per cent stake is owned by Metzler, a German bank that may also sell its stake in the potential deal.

Looking for a buyer

Earlier this year, Volkswagen and Metzler hired investment bank Rothschild to find a buyer for LeasePlan.

A number of consortiums have handed in bids for the business. One, which includes the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Singapore's Government Investment Corporation and private equity firm TDR Capital has emerged as a front-runner for a deal.

However, banking regulators in the Netherlands have baulked at the proposed deal structures. They say bidders need to demonstrate they can meet minimum requirements in terms of capital and liquidity, reports Reuters. The deal must get approval of the Dutch central bank since LeasePlan operates a Dutch banking licence.

A source told Reuters: "The sales process has now been re-started after solving the issues with the central bank."

On Wednesday (July 22nd), Volkswagen closed 1.28 per cent down to 38.85.

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