Report

Court ruling on VW-Suzuki partnership spat not expected until 2013

The partnership beween Volkswagen and Suzuki is more than two years old, yet in that time, more acrimony and court proceedings have been created than jointly developed products – not hard to do when that product number is zero. Continent-crossing accusations have included Suzuki being upset at how VW has characterized the relationship and that VW hasn't shared its technology, while the German automaker has been miffed at Suzuki buying diesel engines from Fiat.

Suzuki filed for arbitration in London and hopes to compel VW to sell back the 19.9-percent stake it took in Suzuki in 2009. A line in VW's annual report, however, reads that it "considers the claims to be unfounded and has itself filed counterclaims." VW doesn't expect a court decision on Suzuki's arbitration to come before 2013. We know they say it's always darkest before the dawn, but we have a feeling the sun won't be rising on this union for quite some time.

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