Porsche Cuts Taycan Production as Demand for EVs Slows
Porsche may be slowing down Taycan production but with the Macan EV, and all-electric 718 models, Porsche is not giving up on EVs.
The German news outlet Stuttgarter Nachrichten is reporting that Porsche is going to cut Taycan production back to a single shift. They cite an overall downturn in demand for EVs as the primary reason. Many of the early adopters that wanted an EV have already got one. The remaining consumers are not as eager to make the switch. That is hurting EV sales for just about every automaker. In Q1 of 2024 Taycan sales were down 54 percent worldwide. Although some of that dip can be attributed to the refreshed 2025 model Taycan that some people are waiting for. Regardless, it is no wonder that Porsche is considering reducing production to just one shift.
In Porsche’s home market of Germany, overall EV sales are suffering. That is especially worrying as Germany is the largest EV market in the European Union. For the month of May sales of battery-electric cars in Germany decreased by 30 percent compared to the same period in 2023. One reason for this is that in December of 2023 Germany voted to end subsidies for new electric vehicle purchases. So, the market is softening, and Taycan production is being scaled back. But that does not mean that Porsche is giving up on EVs. Not by a long shot.
Taycan Market
A Porsche has never been a budget friendly choice. But the least expensive new Taycan is going to cost you at least six figures. While the high-end Turbo S and Turbo GT models will set you back around a quarter of a million dollars. That is far more expensive than models from rival Tesla. The Porsche Taycan is a far better built car than say a Model S. But with such a wide price delta, it is difficult for Porsche to sell the Taycan at a high volume. The Macan on the other hand is a volume seller for Porsche and an EV version is coming.
Macan EV
The new Macan 4 Electric will start at less than $80K. And even the Macan Turbo Electric starts at only $105K. Not that $105K is cheap. But you get 630 electric horsepower for that price. A new Taycan 4S starts at about $15K more and has about 100 fewer horsepower. We fully expect the Macan EV to easily outsell the Taycan. I recently spoke to the sales team at my local Porsche dealership, and they told me they are getting overwhelmed with Macan EV inquires. It is the hottest Porsche right now. There is no question that it will take some sales away from the Taycan. The Taycan is no longer the only Porsche EV in town. And soon there will be all-electric 718 models as well. So, Porsche is not getting out of the EV game, despite slowing Taycan production.
2025 Taycan
The 2025 model year Taycan will come with a host of styling tweaks. That includes an updated bumper, headlights, taillights, and fenders. But the biggest news is hidden underneath the new exterior design. The batteries have been upgraded with the 83.6-kWh pack as the new standard. A Performance battery pack is rated at 97.0 kWh in capacity. This higher performance battery is also lighter than the one it replaces. A new rear motor is lighter and more efficient. Taycan charging times will come down and electric driving ranges will go up. Naturally, Porsche upped the price on the 2025 Taycan. But with all the upgrades, it is justifiable. Will buyers go back to snapping up Taycans as quickly as Porsche can make them? That remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, Porsche is not making them as quickly as they used to.
Images: Porsche
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