Business Movers

Rehabilitating Porsche | Journalist and author David de Jong explores the legacy of the Nazi era on Porsche | 5

Jun 19, 2025
David de Jong, a finance journalist and author of "Nazi Billionaires," dives into the unsettling legacy of Porsche's connections to the Nazi era. He reveals the complex dynamics between Ferry Porsche and his Jewish co-founder, Adolf Rosenberger, highlighting issues of restitution and corporate accountability. The discussion also covers Porsche's troubling history with forced labor during World War II and the ethical responsibilities consumers face today. De Jong challenges listeners to reflect on how historical ties influence modern brand reputations.
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ANECDOTE

Alan Robert's Return to Porsche

  • Alan Robert, formerly Adolf Rosenberger, returned to Porsche after fleeing Nazi Germany in 1935.
  • He sought restitution and his rightful stake, highlighting racial injustice in the company's history.
INSIGHT

Porsche's Dark Origins Revealed

  • Porsche's origin is deeply entangled with Nazi Germany, involving forced labor and exclusion of Jewish partners.
  • This legacy contrasts sharply with Porsche's modern image as a luxury sports car brand.
INSIGHT

Whitewashing Nazi Business Crimes

  • German business families often whitewash their Nazi-era crimes, ignoring mass exploitation and theft.
  • David de Jong sought to expose this lack of historical reckoning in his book Nazi Billionaires.
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