Will the Recall Curtail demand for the GT3?
02-21-2014, 05:46 PM
#61
Rennlist Member
The point I was responding to was that supposedly Porsche was artificially limiting 991 GT3 supply and based on historical numbers, they clearly aren't. As to whether the excellent sales of the 991 GT3 are a good thing or not, that's subjective and could probably be argued for a while. 
Historical numbers are a poor reference considering the previous were more niche and the current car is of appeal to significantly more customers interested in the experience as opposed to the track...
02-21-2014, 05:47 PM
#62
Rennlist Member
The objective is to make the car faster.
The method of making the car faster (mainly PDK) also broadened the appeal. This is an externality.
02-21-2014, 05:51 PM
#63
Rennlist Member
Also, as Eduardo alluded to elsewhere, the technologies developed through the GT3 will eventually trickle down into the Carreras as either expensive options or .2 selling points.
As evidenced by threads such as "is there a smaller aftermarket wing for the GT3," there is a market for the GT3 hardware in the more discrete Carrera packaging.
Quite honestly, I would probably take a 100 lb weight penalty for a GT3 with a nicer stereo and better sound deadening. I love the GT3 for the hardware, not the sound of gravel in the wheel wells, although it's a compromise I accept willingly.
As evidenced by threads such as "is there a smaller aftermarket wing for the GT3," there is a market for the GT3 hardware in the more discrete Carrera packaging.
Quite honestly, I would probably take a 100 lb weight penalty for a GT3 with a nicer stereo and better sound deadening. I love the GT3 for the hardware, not the sound of gravel in the wheel wells, although it's a compromise I accept willingly.
02-21-2014, 06:00 PM
#64
Race Director
Mike, Porsche will build as many Carrera Ss and 4s as the market demands, usually in excess of whats required and dealers are forced to discount to move... Considering they've decided to broaden the market for the gt3 and invest so much money to specifically develop the model, would it not make sense to reduce numbers of those sitting on car lots and increase the numbers of these to recoup their investment??? It doesn't require an increase in production although they keep on telling us about their number goals in recall announcement, just a redistribution of cars built...
Historical numbers are a poor reference considering the previous were more niche and the current car is of appeal to significantly more customers interested in the experience as opposed to the track...
Historical numbers are a poor reference considering the previous were more niche and the current car is of appeal to significantly more customers interested in the experience as opposed to the track...
As an aside, FWIW, I tend to agree with Serge944's first comment above.
02-21-2014, 06:25 PM
#66
Rennlist Member
Ps, I know this as a true fact. There is no possible way I'm wrong.
02-21-2014, 10:18 PM
#67
Three Wheelin'
02-22-2014, 01:03 PM
#68
Nordschleife Master
The one thing that has puzzled me for the past six months is why Porsche would broaden the appeal of the car yet make so few cars available??... I just can't logically process why you spend so much developing a platform unique to the others from scratch (engine, trans, technology) with no link to other road cars nor motorsport platforms, broaden its appeal in the market, reduce costs to maximise return then limit units so much...
The reality is that they could probably have sold 4-5-6 times what they have without batting an eyelid, made bucket loads of profit and stamped out this over MSRP crap yet they play their cards like this... The more I think about it, the more sense your solution of phasing them out makes... Just can't see how this strategy makes any business sense... If they wanted to move away from limited market, niche car, they should have ramped up the volume big time with all the changes made...
The reality is that they could probably have sold 4-5-6 times what they have without batting an eyelid, made bucket loads of profit and stamped out this over MSRP crap yet they play their cards like this... The more I think about it, the more sense your solution of phasing them out makes... Just can't see how this strategy makes any business sense... If they wanted to move away from limited market, niche car, they should have ramped up the volume big time with all the changes made...
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...t-new-variants
Who would have thought that a cheap, critically acclaimed car like the GT86/FRS/BRZ would be a sales disappointment? Apparently and disappointingly, it is. The new cayman and boxster have critical acclaim as well. It's a fantastic car that all the enthusiasts seem to love, but their sales are HORRIBLE. The dealer lots are littered with them and salesmen tell me that they can't sell them. However, their cayenne diesels sell instantly. I truly fear that Porsche may give up on the cayman/boxster. If Porsche went large scale with the GT3, they would lose money. There just aren't enough enthusiasts out there to make money on them.
02-22-2014, 01:23 PM
#69
Nordschleife Master
One other thing I forgot to mention:
The sports car/performance car division of motor companies are not where the big dollars and talent go. It's the high volume passenger car division. My buddy works at Chrysler, and he tells me that the SRT guys aren't the cream of the crop. The real rock stars are the guys that make the crazy boring sedans that sell successfully in high volume. Reason? That's where the money is at. The real money being made is with the Cayenne, panamera, macan. Let's all just keep our fingers crossed that Porsche will still make the cars that we enthusiasts love. We still play an important role, because enthusiasts really do 'make' the brand. We just don't make the money.
The sports car/performance car division of motor companies are not where the big dollars and talent go. It's the high volume passenger car division. My buddy works at Chrysler, and he tells me that the SRT guys aren't the cream of the crop. The real rock stars are the guys that make the crazy boring sedans that sell successfully in high volume. Reason? That's where the money is at. The real money being made is with the Cayenne, panamera, macan. Let's all just keep our fingers crossed that Porsche will still make the cars that we enthusiasts love. We still play an important role, because enthusiasts really do 'make' the brand. We just don't make the money.
02-22-2014, 01:35 PM
#70
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Who would have thought that a cheap, critically acclaimed car like the GT86/FRS/BRZ would be a sales disappointment? Apparently and disappointingly, it is. The new cayman and boxster have critical acclaim as well. It's a fantastic car that all the enthusiasts seem to love, but their sales are HORRIBLE. The dealer lots are littered with them and salesmen tell me that they can't sell them. However, their cayenne diesels sell instantly. I truly fear that Porsche may give up on the cayman/boxster. If Porsche went large scale with the GT3, they would lose money. There just aren't enough enthusiasts out there to make money on them.
As for Cayman/Boxster, it'd be interesting to see what would happen to sales if they stopped neutering the cars. Maybe they'll finally unleash a Cayman Cup/Cayman GT3 now that BMW has rolled out the M235i Racing and it's street sibling.
02-22-2014, 01:46 PM
#71
Rennlist Member
Think about it. If Porsche made an announcement tomorrow that they will stop building the 911 as well as the Boxster/Cayman would that negatively impact the sales of Cayenne, Panamera or the Macan. I think it would hurt their sales because the sport car division drives the sales of the money makers.
02-22-2014, 02:14 PM
#72
Nordschleife Master
Interesting. FRS/BRZs are all over the place in my area.
As for Cayman/Boxster, it'd be interesting to see what would happen to sales if they stopped neutering the cars. Maybe they'll finally unleash a Cayman Cup/Cayman GT3 now that BMW has rolled out the M235i Racing and it's street sibling.
As for Cayman/Boxster, it'd be interesting to see what would happen to sales if they stopped neutering the cars. Maybe they'll finally unleash a Cayman Cup/Cayman GT3 now that BMW has rolled out the M235i Racing and it's street sibling.
The rationale behind protecting the 911 brand is summed up easily with conversations that 2 friends of mine have had with their wives and what their wives responses were:
friend: "I'm thinking of getting a cayman"
wife: "why would you get the 'cheap' porsche and not the 'best' model, the 911?"
I cringe every time I recall the conversation. The reality is, 99% of the public and buyers think like my friend's wives. People don't get the allure of a 'drivers' car, and that the 911 is not the only good sports car Porsche makes. They just know the 911 brand. Porsche won't tarnish that brand.
From the CEO himself:
Think about it. If Porsche made an announcement tomorrow that they will stop building the 911 as well as the Boxster/Cayman would that negatively impact the sales of Cayenne, Panamera or the Macan. I think it would hurt their sales because the sport car division drives the sales of the money makers.
02-22-2014, 03:19 PM
#73
Rennlist Member
Orthojoe, my partner had a similar experience. Wanted to buy a Boxster S (he is a former Olympic weightlifter not sure how he would get in it
) but his two sons told him it was a girlie car and would not ride in one.
I have owned six Porsche's and five recent model Ferrari's in the past 13 years and the my wife's Boxster is as good if not better handling car than all of them. I am amazed as to how good it is.
) but his two sons told him it was a girlie car and would not ride in one.I have owned six Porsche's and five recent model Ferrari's in the past 13 years and the my wife's Boxster is as good if not better handling car than all of them. I am amazed as to how good it is.
02-22-2014, 04:30 PM
#75
Rennlist Member
