Nizer

http://www.leftlanenews.com/porsche-...ideration.html

Porsche CEO wants new model every year, confirms Panamera coupe under consideration

By Drew Johnson
Monday, Feb 21st, 2011 @ 9:27 a.m.

Porsche was once a small-time automaker cranking out nothing but niche-model sports cars, but the German automaker has evolved into near full-line global automaker. That trend will continue for the foreseeable future, with the Volkswagen-owned car maker eying 200,000 sales by 2018.


Porsche sold 97,000 units worldwide last year, making the increase to 200,000 units a rather daunting task. However, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller has a plan to more than double the company’s annual sales in just seven short years, which includes launching at least one new model every year.

“Each year we want to celebrate a major event, namely bring a new Porsche to market,” Mueller said. “We are also revising and improving existing products and looking to see what would bolster Porsche’s image in terms of healthy growth.”

The Cajun compact SUV and 918 supercar will be included in those plans, but Mueller all but confirmed that an entry-level model and more Panamera variants will also be part of Porsche’s future product strategy.

“For 2014, I could imagine a legitimate successor to the Porsche 550 — namely, a small mid-engine sports car,” he said. “Actually, I couldn’t imagine a better name for a small roadster like that than the 550.”

Mueller added: “I can imagine a long-wheelbase version [of the Panamera], especially for growing markets such as China and Russia. We also think that a plug-in hybrid concept would fit well with the Panamera. And there are many more ideas out there, like a two-door Panamera that makes even more of a coupe-like impression, and so on.”

Mueller also revealed Porsche will make a decision on a new model to slot between the 911 and forthcoming 918 by mid-year.

Porsche hasn’t announced any official sales targets for 2011, but Mueller admitted he wants to see the company cross the 100,000 unit mark.

Richie18

I think Porsche is going to cross the line when it comes to the compromise between being a cult brand known for exclusivity/prestige/genuine innovation/engineering to a company brand that produces expensive cars that are fast.

Branding goes a long way and while sales may increase the automaker may be diluting its image which could bite them later.

AnthonySp

The dilution of Porsche's brand began in 1998. No reason to stop now.

malmasri

Not the case anymore....all that matters is sales and more of them

Carrera GT

I think I would ... gulp ... buy it.
There, I said it. Don't judge me.

ps. Porsche invents two tone ... by accident, I'm afraid ...

911SLOW

U like the tiptronic?

Crazy Canuck

Panamera coupe would sell.

DINOROCZ

This IS definitely happening, a friend of mine spoke with a big shot for PCNA and he told him that it is a definite and should be within the next 3 years

deutschmick

I agree.

I'd definitely consider one if it was manual or PDK transmission. Then again, I'm a 928 fan (certain models), but 911 was my first love.

Targa Tim

+2.

Modern 911 (except GTx) are too comfortable anyway, might as well make a new 928, turbo S, cab, for daily cruising.

FFaust

+3

tcsracing1

the coupe makes sense to build for porsche since the 4 door is already rolling out the door with a parts bin in the background.

platform sharing at its best.

It will look like a silly car, but then again, the 356 looked silly too.....

It may find a luxury coupe buyer market like that of the cadillac CTS-V, and divide the 911 buyer from that market once and for all.

would Steve McQueen drive it? or stick to 911?

P.J.S.

Panamera RS ftw

jenk12m

Lol to above post

P.J.S.