Is VW Going Shopping?

London - Europe s largest automaker is being watched very carefully these days as other car makers and analysts believe the company may be preparing to make a major acquisition. The company has initiated its second share buyback program in six months with the possibility of buying back some 41 million shares of its own stock in the latest program.

Analysts believe Volkswagen could use these shares as acquisition currency in an attempt to acquire a major automaker. VW execs deny the company has any major acquisitions in mind.

Most of the speculation in Europe surrounds Volkswagen boosting its involvement in the commercial truck business, although that appears to be a popular speculative area in Europe these days for any automaker.