Claims that VW’s Spanish subsuidary Seat may go under the hammer are “absolute nonsense” said a spokesman for the Audi brand group. German newspaper Automobilwoche had based the statement on inside sources and used the recent decision by VW not to build the new A1 in Spain as proof that they were planning to let go of the operation. Manufacturing for the A1 will instead be done in Brussels, where VW already has a plant.

In other VW news, it looks like Audi’s current director of finance, Rupert Stadler, will become the new Audi CEO, reported another German newspaper. We’ve been impressed with the quality of Audi products in recent years and the number of awards it’s recently picked up in trade publications is another indication that Audi is very serious about overtaking BMW and Mercedes.