![Porsche: Sharapova, Webber and One Billion Euros]()
by John Glynn | May 1, 2014 | Porsche News, Porsche People
Porsche CEO Matthias Müller has revealed the carmaker’s plans to spend “significantly more than one billion euro this fiscal year, in substantial investments and significant expenditures”.
Porsche: Sharapova, Webber and record Q1 Revenue
“We are focused on fulfilling the promise of our brand – to offer the sportiest and technologically cutting-edge vehicles in our segments – on a long-term basis,” said the Chairman (above with the sugarcubes, Sharapova and Webber). “The improvement of fuel efficiency as well as a responsible use of resources are integral parts of Porsche strategy.”
2014 has started well for Stuttgart. Q1 deliveries were up almost 5% on last year at 38,663 vehicles. Q1 revenue is up 20% year-on-year to just under 4 billion euro. Operating profit has increased by 22%, while employee numbers have also risen, topping 20,000 people in February.
Record Workforce at Porsche AG
Employee numbers are a good indication of how well things have been going. Three years ago, total employees was 13,000. Since then, the company has increased staff numbers by more than 50%. That is seriously going some.
At the end of March, the total number employed by Porsche was 20,416 people: up 15% year-on-year. Almost 1,000 people were added in Q1 alone and that number will keep rising in the run up to Macan, which will be built at Leipzig. Want to work at Porsche with these guys? See all Porsche jobs here.
“Porsche sales will rise once more in the 2014 fiscal year,” predicted Matthias Müller. “The market launch of the Macan will give us an additional boost.”
Porsche Macan: High Expenditures
To make money, one must spend money, and Porsche has more to spend on Macan. “There are high expenditures for meeting the CO2 requirements and substantial investments in the build-out and modernization of the Zuffenhausen, Leipzig and Weissach locations,” noted Lutz Meschke, the board’s man in finance. “Assuming that sales in Europe will continue to stabilize despite the unresolved structural problems*, our aim is to achieve at a minimum a profit comparable to the previous year.”
I’ve just spent a while looking at government budgets by country. Porsche AG could start issuing passports if it keeps up this level of spending.
*Not sure what this means but am checking it out.
![Porsche: Sharapova, Webber and One Billion Euros]()
by John Glynn | Apr 23, 2014 | New Models, Porsche News
Autocar magazine has just shared news from Beijing, where the new Porsche Macan four cylinder engine option has just been unveiled for Stuttgart’s compact SUV.
Volkswagen Golf GTi Engine
Powered by a turbocharged 2-litre Volkwagen EA888 engine – as used across all other VAG brands – the 4-cylinder Macan will run an identical tune to the Golf GTi Performance Pack version, giving 234bhp and 258lb ft of torque, versus the 3.0 Turbo’s 335bhp/339lb ft.
Porsche Macan 200,000 sales target
The move is inevitable. The Porsche CEO recently estimated that the company could sell up to 200,000 Macans next year. They’re not going to do that at £50k a unit: an entry level model is needed using a seriously cheap power unit. The slightly lower emissions and likely engine size tax advantages will also have rub-off benefits in parts of the world, across the Macan range and the broader model portfolio.
While pricing has not been revealed, it’s been confirmed that the Macan 2.0 will run a PDK gearbox in Asia: let’s hope it’s not too slow. There are suggestions it will come to England in 2015, but an earlier debut wouldn’t surprise me. Watch for the 2-litre diesels up next.
by John Glynn | Mar 24, 2014 | Porsche News, Porsche People
I don’t know Porsche CEO Matthias Müller, but I like his story and how he comes across. Stuttgart does too, as it has just renewed his contract for five more years from January 2015.
Though Matthias Müller’s VAG passport is well established, the boss has always made the right noises about Porsche’s positioning within VW, inspiring faith in his plans for the brand. Talking to the Telegraph’s Andrew English soon after taking the Porsche job in late 2010, the two enjoyed a set-to over the risks of shared engineering across VW badges.
AE: Isn’t there a danger that all this sharing will dilute what a Porsche actually stands for?
MM: No other company can manage nine brands like the VW Group. You know that a VW is a VW and an Audi is an Audi.
AE: No it isn’t, the Audi A1 is a barely disguised VW Polo…
MM: Well, as long as I am chief executive, a Porsche will be a Porsche. I do not want to compromise or disappoint our customers.
Müller has stuck to his word. The current range feels Porsche-like from here, and (impressively) has really taken shape since Q1 2011, when the new CEO’s first proper product strategy meet established the targets that should see Porsche sell 200,000 cars by 2018. How that explosion tallies with our old-school Porsche relationships is an ecumenical matter, but the powers that be certainly enjoy what Müller is doing post-Weideking.
“The company has continued to develop positively and the integration of the sports car manufacturer into the Volkswagen Group worked perfectly,” said Dr Wolfgang Porsche. “We look forward to working with [Matthias] in the years to come.”
“The integration into the Volkswagen Group and the independence of Porsche are no contradiction, they stand for success,” said Chairman of the general and group works council of Porsche AG, Uwe Hück. “In spite of this growth, we want to preserve the proven Porsche culture and we will continue to go down this road with Matthias Müller. He is an employer with a heart and quite simply, that’s good for Porsche”.
An employer with heart, and his hand on the tiller to at least 2020. What’s the verdict out there?
by John Glynn | Mar 19, 2014 | New Models, Porsche News
I spent all morning writing job descriptions for a couple of part-time vacancies in Graphic Design and PR/Marketing with Mighty Motor Media in Banbury/Daventry. While I was banging my head against that creative brick wall, Porsche announced GTS models of Boxster and Cayman.
There’s some flak flying on social media for the pics Porsche has sent out and the video done to promote the models (scroll down) but I think the cars look good: Cayman in particular.
However, with a basic cost of more than £50k, one wonders how many will pick a GTS to get an extra 15 hp (330 bhp total) and 10 newton metres of torque, Sport Chrono, PASM and black bi-xenon headlights. Remember that a basic manual Cayman S on 19″ wheels weighs 1350 kilos, with every option adding bulk – I don’t know what the GTS will weigh when it’s fuelled and oiled, ready to go. Basic Cayman GTS will cost circa €4k more than the Boxster, but I bet it’s the bigger seller.
Interestingly, Stuttgart’s press release shares top speeds from the manual version, but 0-60 times from the PDK car, equipped with launch control. Does that mean PDK won’t go as fast? Or is Porsche just pointing out the base price is manual? Answers on a postcard.
Now, give me your thoughts on this video. I would rather see previous GTS models: Vic Elford drives to camera in a red 904 GTS peeling off to show Derek Bell in his red 924 GTS then peeling off to reveal Nick Tandy in a red Cayman GTS. Heritage works with red Porsches.
by John Glynn | Mar 3, 2014 | Porsche News, Race and Rally
Race fans deserve epic paint schemes. Standing outside in all weathers, watching cars go around with no clue what’s happening half the time, the least teams can do is make the cars sexy with a great livery to inspire followers.
Porsche has finally dressed the 919 Hybrid for in its Le Mans livery. The car is pure sex, but the paint scheme’s got all the allure of a fax machine. Let’s hope there’s a stealth raid on Leipzig with some pig-coloured spray paint.
Bring on the Martini Williams! And where’s the Veltins on LMP1? Can’t be the final version.
