by John Glynn | Jun 1, 2012 | Market & Prices, Porsche News
Porsche has chosen Automobil International (AMI) in Leipzig to debut the 911 Cabriolet, new Boxster and Cayenne GTS.
“The AMI is an ideal venue for unveiling the new products in front of a domestic audience”, said Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Porsche Deutschland GmbH. “The domestic market Germany is a known quantity for Porsche. That is why, with our partners, we are planning to invest more than 100 million euro in the medium-term in existing and new Porsche centres”.
Porsche says current sales figures substantiate these plans. In May, Porsche customer deliveries in Germany totalled 1,917: up 24 per cent on last year. Cayenne alone sold 750 units and continues to be a domestic best seller.
Is bullish Stuttgart on the money? Well, the upswing defies a German market trend of reduced sales through May, due to fewer trading days in the month. Total German market for 2012 is predicted at close to 3.2 million vehicles, but Reuters says this prediction will depend on “further economic development”.
While PWC reports that German brands now account for 80% of luxury sales in the fired-up Chinese market, and German business sentiment has been rising for the last six months, consumer confidence in Germany fell for the fourth consecutive month in May, tempering hopes that citizens’ spending would supercharge the economy.
“It would be premature to believe that the German economy can maintain strong growth rates when the rest of the Eurozone is faltering”, cautioned Carsten Brzeski at ING Bank.
by John Glynn | May 22, 2012 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices
This Bill Gates Porsche 911 Turbo story has been doing the Internet rounds for a couple of days, but some of you may not have seen it. It is definitely worth following!
Bill Gates’ 1979 930 is for sale on an Austrian auction site. The car has apparently covered 89,000 miles, but was restored in 2011, with fresh paint and an engine rebuild paid for by the current owner, a year after it was imported to Austria.
As a ’79, it is of course a 3.3-litre, with the 4-speed transmission. Though it seems in good shape, any prospective buyers would be well advised to have a closer inspection. Early 930s can need more than engine rebuilds at this stage and it did live in Seattle: rain capital of the USA.
One thing you can be sure of is a decent history: Bill is not short of a bob or too. With the best 930s now being offered (perhaps slightly optimistically) at close to £50k in the UK – a LHD car should be expected to fetch more. Add in the kudos of Bill’s original Bill of Sale and who knows what it might fetch.
I’ve driven plenty of 4-speed 930s in the UK, Europe and the USA. Even in the best condition, they can be difficult to get excited about on a twisty mountain road. I don’t think that this car would be worth fortunes to me, but then I’ve been a fan of the 3-litre normally aspirated 911s and a Steve Jobs/Apple Mac user for many years!
What do you think it will sell for? Add your views in the comments. This story came in from Matthew (thanks Matt): email me with other interesting stuff you might see. We are always looking for interesting feature cars. Follow Ferdinand to keep in touch with all the Porsche stories we share online.
![Porsche Production up 15%: 911 Sales up 40%]()
by John Glynn | May 3, 2012 | Market & Prices, Porsche News
Between January and March 2012, Porsche produced a total of 36,067 vehicles: 15% up on last year. Leipzig plant now makes 450 Cayennes and Panameras per day.
Porsche’s 2012 financial year is off to a flying start. Worldwide sales are up almost 30%, and revenue is up a bit more, at 32%. Operating profit hit €528 million, 18% more than Q1 2011. The company took on 725 new people in the same period and now employs over 16,000.
President and CEO of Porsche AG, Matthias Müller, says this success comes from focus on sustainable growth. “The youngest and most efficient model range of all time gives us an outstanding platform on which to sustain this course throughout 2012.”
New 911 has lifted sales of the icon by almost 40%, and new Boxster has strong interest. This year, Porsche brings nine more models to market – from new 911 derivatives to the Cayenne GTS.
In Q1 2012, Porsche saw increased demand in China, the German domestic market and in the USA. Biggest increase came from Panamera: up almost 60% and very strong interest in the six cylinder (tax law changes or good lease deals somewhere maybe). Thirty percent more Cayennes were delivered to customers worldwide in Q1 2012.
Porsche has set itself ambitious business targets with “Strategy 2018”. The intention is to boost sales to approximately 200,000 vehicles by that point, so Porsche is investing in rejuvenating and expanding the entire model range. New 911 is part of that, new Cayman (perhaps the real sports car of the range) and Macan will bolster the effort. Macan will be built at Lepizig from 2014 onwards.
by John Glynn | Mar 9, 2012 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices
Just tweeted the Drendel Porsche Collection sale at Amelia Island and it was terrific fun. Here’s a list of my tweets, with the prices fetched in the hall – add the premium to get the buyers’ actual bill. Quite a few world records, as expected. Gooding will no doubt have a huge press release on this.
Best result? Take your pick: Martini 935 at $2.3 Million, Baby Turbo which sold for a stunning $2.95 Million or the 917/30 at $4 Million! Here are the tweets:
- We are THREE CARS away from a ton of big-money classic Porsches at @GoodingCompany in Amelia Island. Stay tuned!
- 1960 #Porsche 356B Roadster in Silver with Blue/Blue makes $135k at @GoodingCompany. Tons of start bids, painfully slow finish in 2.5s.
- Drendel Collection NOW ON SALE. First car is a 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S.
- #Porsche 944 Turbo S has just 700 miles from new. Unreal. Makes a SUPER SWEET $75k at @GoodingCompany. $10k past high estimate.
- The Martini #Porsche 935 now on the stand at @GoodingCompany. Hall is buzzing.
- The #Drendel Martini #Porsche 935 makes $2.3 MILLION at @GoodingCompany. Holy mother: $300k past high estimate.
- NOW! Bell/Holbert’s ex-Le Mans 1980 Porsche 924 GTP on the stand. All other cars owned by the factory. #Drendel @GoodingCompany
- Ex-Le Mans 1980 Porsche 924 GTP makes a slow $350k – seems value for money…
- 1997 #Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution on the stand. #Drendel @GoodingCompany – Bids at $825k and heading north
- Make that $950k on the phone
- $975k on the GT1 – still bidding. Phone is out.
- $1.05 Million against the phone for the GT1 #Porsche at @GoodingCompany
- (Tweet chat to @GTPorsche: Yes I think the 924 was a good buy. Gooding including their premium – my numbers in the hall. Good fun sale.)
- 1990 #Porsche 944 Cab makes $36k – well past high estimate. Now 934 on the rostrum. On $650k at the mo.
- Peach of a #Porsche 934 selling well cheap at $650k and slow to go.
- 1976 #Porsche 934 in top colour, ex-Le Mans class winner sells for $810k – new money came in at $725k when looked all over.
- 1987 McLaren MP4/3 Formula 1 on the stage NOW – 1000hp with spare engine. Charlie takes a start bid of $200k straight in
- McLaren going frigging ballistic
- $780k for the McLaren F1 car – Porsches look cheap against it! Talk about last minute save at $640k – GRIPPING AUCTION with HEAVY bidding
- Derek Bell now on the stage talking about the next lot – sale just down the road from his FL house #Porsche 1984 962
- Winningest #Porsche in history?! For sale for first time ever. 1984 Porsche 962 opens at $1 MILLION
- Finish of $1.75 MILLION on phone for 1984 #Porsche 962. Low estimate was $1.75M. Slow to get there.
- WORLD RECORD FOR A #PORSCHE 962
- 1986 #Porsche 944 Turbo Cup starts at just $20k – nuts but we’ll see where it goes
- 1986 #Porsche 944 Turbo Cup low estimate of $65k – finishes at $72k. Like pulling great big rooted teeth here.
- 1974 #Porsche RSR Carrera Turbo 2.14 starts at a mill. Baby Turbo on sale. Low estimate $1.75M – now $2M
- Baby Turbo makes $2.95M in room at @GoodingCompany #Porsche 911 RSR. Very strong bidding – such a thrill to watch. Blitzes estimates.
- ONE CAR TO GO TO THE 917/30 #PORSCHE AT GOODING OMG OMG OMG
- Auction Fever – #Porsche 968 Turbo S Clone makes well past high estimate at a healthy $66k @GoodingCompany – the mega 917/30 is up next.
- OK – this is the BIG ONE. Ultimate #Porsche 917: most powerful road racing car EVER. One of only 6 built. 0-60 in 2 seconds.
- #Porsche 917/30 hits a killer $4 Million at @GoodingCompany. One bid from 2.6 to 3 tried to freeze the rest but failed. High est $4M
- This is such a great #Porsche sale – now we have the Boss 944 GTP sold without reserve. Fantastically famous car opens at $200k.
- Who is keeping total score here? Guess I’d better add it up! Still four more #Drendel #Porsche cars to go after 944.
- $280k for the #Porsche 944 GTP. Now a Holbert 962 with truckload of spares. 9 wins and 17 podiums. Starts at $500k.
- Holbert #Porsche 962 sells at $850k
- 1992 #Porsche 968 Turbo RS starts well below low estimate at $100k, but soon hits low estimate of $250k.
- Great result for #Porsche 968 Turbo RS at $315k – $10k off top estimate
- 1980 Parnelli #Porsche Indy Car sluggish bids to $200k – fails to hit low estimate of $350k. #Surprised #UNSOLD
- FINAL #Drendel #Porsche at @GoodingCompany is the 1995 911 (993) GT2. Low estimate $375k. ON SALE at $255k now.
- Last #Drendel #Porsche 911 993 GT2 sells amongst very busy $5k bid increments for $325k. Everyone exhausted!! Low estimate was $375k.
- Thanks to everyone who didn’t unfollow me through the #Drendel tweets! What a great sale – top day for #Porsche fans.
If you need any help tweeting, or understanding how to or why regards Twitter, my company Mighty Motor Media looks after social media including Facebook and Twitter for Porsche companies in many different countries. We can help anyone get the most from these platforms.
Email me at john@mightymotormedia.com or give me a ring on +44 77 911 19151 to chat through any questions you might have.
by John Glynn | Feb 27, 2012 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices, Road Trips
The 2012 Essen Techno Classica is now just three weeks away. With seventeen halls packed to capacity by car manufacturers, classic car clubs, historic vehicle dealers, parts suppliers and more, Techno is the world’s biggest classic car fair: I never miss it.
It’s an incredible feast of Porscheness, as well as a great place to see cars from historic collections of the manufacturers including BMW and Mercedes. Every year brings something new, and the auctions and privately-owned cars offered for sale around the fair are also quite exciting.
Where to stay for Essen is always a dilemma. I’ve done Dusseldorf and trained it to the show, Essen and walked in, nearby Oberhausen and driven in and without a doubt walking is the best option. Driving is ridiculous and the train should be the alternative to walking. Parking near the show is IMPOSSIBLE so don’t even consider it: park down the road and catch a bus or cab if needs be. I’m staying at a hotel 7 mins from the show by tube!
I’ll be at the show as Mighty Motor Media: solo and with UK and European clients. I’m arriving Wednesday and leaving on Saturday morning (last show day is Friday). It would be great to meet like-minded Porsche fans and perhaps a potential new social media customer at the fair: drop me a line if you plan to be there and maybe we can hook up for a coffee?
You can email me at mail@ferdinandmagazine.com. Let me know your plans for Essen and whether we can get together.
I’m spending two days after the show in that part of Europe, looking for some Porsche features. If you’ve got something that would make a good story, give me a shout!
by John Glynn | Jan 18, 2012 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices
I was down with some Porsche friends last week, doing a piece for Ferdinand magazine and talking about some other exciting stuff we have coming up together. Spent a few hours catching up, and then Jonas took me on a tour of his highly impressive facility.
As we walked through the showroom of Porsches for sale, one looked very familiar. “This is a car we sold and then bought back. It’s had a Cup engine with loads of 993 RS bits and a full respray: lovely car,” said the salesman. I knew all about it – it was Peter Heaton’s 993 hot rod that I shot for 911 & Porsche World magazine last summer, as part of my monthly ‘You and Yours’ feature slot.
Have to admit to being slightly disappointed that it was back on sale. Rolls-Royce jet engine specialist Peter seemed properly in love with the car when we worked together, and the 993 was exceptional throughout. I loved this shot of the front wheel: printed it for my office wall, and put it on my business cards!
I shot the car as it came out of the paint shop after a big-money repaint in Polar Silver. Peter arrived in friend Paul’s BMW M3 Coupe and that was what prompted me to buy my saloon version a few weeks later. The whole day was good fun and also nice to work with C&N Customs in Middle Aston again (they painted the car).
Price has gone up since the last time it was sold: Jonas is asking £44,000 for it. See the full Modified Porsche 993 for sale details here. Worth checking out if a unique 993 is on your list of wants.
