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Porsche currently sells a 718 "Spyder" in China with the base 2.0 T4 motor.
Is it possible this is a China only model -- ala 718 Spyder RS with perhaps an upgrade to the 2.5 T4 motor.
Anyway, just a thought....personally hoping for an RS and on the local dealer's list. That the local OPC has a list is perhaps telling though.
Oh, that is a good point because China does have different "models" due to their tighter taxes and penalties I believe that are based on engine size. Maybe the Spyder "RS" is equivalent to NA's "regular" Spyder. Man if this revelation turns out to be the case, that would definitely be a dagger right through the hearts of many.
....but then I wouldn't have to be tempted to trade up my forever car.
With them not even able to build basic inventory right now, it is hard to see them spending energy and scarce resources on a specialty car.
The opposite. Follow the money:
“Basic inventory” is less profitable than a “specialty car” like a GT[x]-[RS] on a per unit basis.
Since production is very limited, it makes sense to prioritize the most profitable variants to the extent that they are ‘on order’ or otherwise ‘pre-sold.’
Edit: Only to the extent that CapEx for the variant is sunk. New CapEx on a new variant would, I think, be a complicated ROI study.
It is quite possible we are looking at China specific info there as it does, above GT4, call out 'only salon' for what looks to be Taycan/Panamera. China currently doesn't have the Taycan in Cross Turismo and limited Sport Turismo for the Panamera.
Now, having an RS Spyder for just China as a normal Spyder 4.0 could be plausible as their current Spyder is the 4 cyl as mentioned above. However, from my view there is zero reason why this would be the case as Porsche is quite protective of it's naming convention and doesn't slap GT/RS/GT3 etc on anything unless it's a true differentiator.
I suspect much will be more clear in the coming weeks...
“Basic inventory” is less profitable than a “specialty car” like a GT[x]-[RS] on a per unit basis.
Since production is very limited, it makes sense to prioritize the most profitable variants to the extent that they are ‘on order’ or otherwise ‘pre-sold.’
Edit: Only to the extent that CapEx for the variant is sunk. New CapEx on a new variant would, I think, be a complicated ROI study.
I was going to have to weigh in on fixed vs. variable costs but you covered it. Great to see some hot takes on cost accounting. Let’s do theory of constraints next!
Let’s say, for simplicity, Porsche has enough chips for 30k units. Will they build 30k 911s, maximizing economies of scale, or 5k GT4/Gt4RS, 5k spyders/new spyder rs, 10000 911s, etc.?
Since marketing, customer loyalty, future plans, etc all play into this, and assuming no one here is at PAG corporate, any speculation is just that.
My seat of the pants feel is that, unless they plan to abandon the 911 market as they move into EV land, they’ll serve that market as first priority.
Let’s say, for simplicity, Porsche has enough chips for 30k units. Will they build 30k 911s, maximizing economies of scale, or 5k GT4/Gt4RS, 5k spyders/new spyder rs, 10000 911s, etc.?
Since marketing, customer loyalty, future plans, etc all play into this, and assuming no one here is at PAG corporate, any speculation is just that.
My seat of the pants feel is that, unless they plan to abandon the 911 market as they move into EV land, they’ll serve that market as first priority.
I bet everything gets pushed out because of the chip shortage. No shortage of demand these days
imo that’s because a shortage of supply, I have an “order” on a Spyder, signed up last month, 9 plus month wait for the car. At least in Australia, I can confirm 9-16 month delays on Spyders. Demand is there just bugger all cars/build slots. Hence at least here why 981 GT4/Spyders have increased in asking prices by circa 10-20% on the used car market over the past 6 months.
09-11-2021, 05:01 PM
