Porsche denies more bidders have stepped forward

FRANKFURT: Porsche yesterday denied a newspaper report which said five more potential bidders have emerged for a Porsche-owned derivatives package which controls around 20 percent of Volkswagen voting shares.

A Porsche spokesman said exclusive talks continued with Qatar about a potential investment in Porsche and over the sale of the derivatives package controlling VW shares.

The spokesman denied a report in German daily Handelsblatt which quoted a Porsche spokesman as saying the sportscar maker was in exclusive talks with Qatar about an investment in Porsche SE but adding there were "five further interested parties for our options package in VW".