Core Viewpoint - The ongoing inheritance dispute involving Zong Qinghou has reached a turning point, with the state-owned major shareholder of Wahaha finally intervening, indicating a shift from a family matter to a public interest issue affecting corporate governance [3][5]. Group 1: Major Shareholder's Change of Attitude - The major shareholder of Wahaha, a state-owned entity holding 46% of the shares, has historically remained passive, allowing Zong Qinghou to dominate operations and strategy [7][8]. - Following Zong Qinghou's death, the governance vacuum and intense succession competition have prompted the state-owned shareholder to abandon its previous silence and take action [9][10]. - The recent trademark transfer incident, where 387 trademarks were proposed to be transferred from the state-owned entity to a company controlled by Zong's daughter, signifies a significant shift in the shareholder's strategy [12][14]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns - Wahaha has shown strong financial performance, with sales exceeding 50 billion annually, and a projected revenue of 70 billion for 2024, reflecting a year-on-year increase of approximately 200 million [17][18]. - Despite the robust revenue, the state-owned shareholder has received minimal dividends, with Wahaha Group's net profit at only 18.71 million, compared to the significantly higher profits of its external companies [19][20]. - The lack of fair dividend distribution has raised questions about the governance and financial arrangements within Wahaha, especially as the state-owned shareholder has not signed preferential agreements with the local government since 2008 [22][23]. Group 3: Complexity of Shareholding Structure - The shareholding structure of Wahaha has become increasingly complex, with the potential for further complications due to ongoing inheritance disputes among Zong's heirs [28][34]. - The historical context of Wahaha's shareholding, including the transition from full state ownership to a mixed structure, has contributed to the current governance challenges [30][31]. - The state-owned shareholder's recent intervention may be aimed at clarifying ownership and restructuring governance to regain control over the increasingly chaotic shareholding landscape [35][36].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing scrutiny and criticism surrounding Oliver Blume's dual role as CEO of both Volkswagen Group and Porsche, highlighting concerns over potential conflicts of interest and governance issues [3][5][31]. Group 1: Background and Context - Oliver Blume is the first CEO in Volkswagen Group's history to hold dual positions as CEO of both Volkswagen and Porsche [10]. - The controversy over Blume's dual role began when he took over as CEO of Volkswagen Group, with initial concerns raised by a minority of investors [14][18]. - Following Porsche's IPO in September 2022, Blume's leadership has come under greater scrutiny as both companies face declining performance [18][30]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Response - Porsche's performance has been declining, with a 3% drop in global deliveries in 2024 and a significant 28% decline in the Chinese market [27][28]. - As of early 2025, Porsche's stock price has fallen to €43.46, nearly halving from its IPO price of €82.5 [30]. - Financial forecasts for Porsche indicate a projected revenue of €37-38 billion for 2025, down from €40 billion the previous year [66]. Group 3: Governance and Shareholder Concerns - Shareholders have increasingly called for Blume to choose one CEO position, citing governance structures that are unprecedented in both Volkswagen and the broader German corporate landscape [9][32]. - Concerns have been raised about the potential for conflicts of interest and weakened accountability due to Blume's dual role [48][49]. - Some family members of the Porsche-Piëch family, who control a significant voting stake in Volkswagen, have expressed differing views on Blume's dual role, with some advocating for a clearer separation of responsibilities [40][54]. Group 4: Blume's Justification and Strategic Vision - Blume defends his dual role as a strategic advantage, allowing for resource integration and unified decision-making across both companies [56][57]. - He emphasizes the importance of scale in negotiations and the ability to implement necessary reforms across both brands [60][61]. - Blume believes that his leadership can help navigate the complexities of the automotive industry's transition to electric vehicles [59][63]. Group 5: Future Outlook and Strategic Adjustments - Volkswagen plans to launch 30 new models in China over the next two years, with a focus on localizing research and development [63][64]. - The company is also restructuring its dealer network in China, aiming to reduce the number of dealerships by one-third by 2027 [69].