DaveK

I've heard stories about a Boxster coupe being made (and if they did, I'd be tempted) but I've also heard "they won't do it because it will impact 911 sales" - which I agree, it probably would. This subject came up with my girlfriend last night and she said - why does that matter, people will still be buying cars from Porsche, why does it matter what model they buy?

To which I answered..... erm, well I don't know really.

Why does it matter if a Boxster coupe (or the mysterious 4th model) impacts 911 sales? It's still Porsche that get the cash?

Andy Roe

Dave,

The more 911's they sell, the cost to make each one to Porsche will probably go down. Producing a new model will proably reduce the number of 911's sold & thus make them more expensve to make. Plus, if the Boxster has the same performace as the 996 for half the price, many people would buy the Boxster instead.

Andy

Christer

Andy makes a valid point, but I think that one cannot underestimate the power of the icon that is the 911 - and IMHO Porsche would be foolish to dilute its influence in any way. BMW have just undermined their X5 by producing the X3 which is exactly the same size with same engine options but significantly cheaper. I know that the next X5 will aparently be bigger and address this and they will get away with it because the X5 is just a 'jub' of a car. The 911 is a giant in the automotive world, and the bigger they are the harder they fall. Why chance it?

Schuey

from what I understand they WILL do a coupe, but it won't look like the 997, closer to the 986/996 headlights, only a 2 seater, etc.

911 guys will always be 911 guys, so I'm not sure it will hurt them...

Jay H

Porsche does not want to take away sales from the 911 because the profit margins are VERY high on the 911. They make more money on each 911 sale than they do on a Boxster sale.

Keep in mind that Porsche is run by accountants nowadays...

Adrian

Actually guys the Cayenne is the cash cow now.
Porsche made just over 1 billion Euros profit in the last financial year. Boxster production was slashed from 18,000 to 12,000. 911 production from nearly 30,000 to just over 25,000 and over 40,000 Cayennes were built.
Ciao,
Adrian
964C4
GT-2

Jay H

Adrian:

Is it safe to assume there are huge margin's in the Cayenne too?

Computamedic

I thought we'd done that one already - there was a link the other day to the 997 forum with a picture of the forthcoming Boxster Coupe.

It's here https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/155161-boxter-gets-997-headlights.html

Adrian

Dear Jay,
Yes I would think that would be a fair assumption. I read the interview with Wonder boy today and he seems to think that the Cayenne is doing a fine job and the new 4-door which he personally favours and believes Porsche can afford, will be just as lucrative.
Decision is not made yet though but the word is a 2008 model line up which means August 2007.
Ciao,
Adrian
964C4
GT-2

JoeW

I really don't care what they build, lawnmowers for all I care .... what I want is for them to start racing again and to use their racing hardware and experience to build the 911s of the future. That and not make the 911 sound like a vacuum cleaner.

Joe

Irishdriver

Actually Adrian,

Much of the teriffic financial performance this year in Porsche comes from the good (Lucky?) predictions they did on the dollar sales. You could say they made a big killing on currency trading that flatters the profitability of the cars. However, having said that, the cars are very profitable.

Widerkings policy is that each car/project must be profitable in its own right. It's hard to see how racing will meet this requirement.