Patriot

This is not a rhetorical question - does anyone know if Porsche (the car maker) has ever published 'core values?'

Though I am without a Porsche at the moment, I find myself thinking often about owning one again. And that got me thinking about what Porsche's core values are - what makes a Porsche a Porsche if you will.

Thanks

YoungTurk

gota911

Try the link below. It is on the P web site under Porsche Philisophy. There are 6 sections, but the first one, Porsche Principle, may be the closest you will find to a Core Value statement from Porsche.

Porsche Philosophy

Patriot

Thanks for that Tim. I enjoyed the read.

YoungTurk

gota911

You are welcome!

Edgy01

It's worth cutting and pasting herein:

The Porsche Principle

The Porsche Principle is our Magna Carta. It is based on values and philosophies that together create our added value. The Porsche Principle is about a company that knows size isn’t everything. It’s also about a company that consistently goes its own way. On the stock market, for instance, because we don’t think too highly of quarterly reports and, accordingly, don’t publish them. In public life because we not only decline subsidies. We even challenge them out of principle. In the automotive industry because the little Porsche company dares to acquire a substantial share of the giant Volkswagen Group, in order to secure its autonomy over time. In society as a whole because – despite our exclusive products – social acceptance is paramount for us. On the labour market, because to secure our long-term success we don’t eliminate jobs, we secure and create them. On the business base issue, because we are committed to Germany and are a constant reminder to others that one can succeed here too.

With the ‘Made in Germany’ cachet, and because of it.


Incidentally, the Porsche Principle is a matter of our own standards.
Faith in our own virtues. We have very definite ideas on how we develop and produce our vehicles. In addition to maximum costeffectiveness, they must comply with the high demands we make. What counts here are quality, environmental protection, safety. And, naturally, fascination. All this is important. So important that we integrate our suppliers in the development process from the very first new car concept, and demand a lot of them. Because we also demand a lot of ourselves. And believe in partnership. The Porsche Principle is also about responsibility. To the customer, and to our own heritage. We never forget our origins. And they are rooted in motorsport, where we have written history on the track. We concentrate on what we do best: building sports cars. And a few other things. As mentioned, we are a small company. The Porsche Principle is also the David Principle. We are not intimidated by the Goliaths in the industry. We are independent. We are the world’s most profitable car maker.

Basal Skull

"We are the world’s most profitable car maker."

weren't they almost bankrupt a few years ago until they started to use Japanese (gasp) manufacturing methods?

gota911

That, plus the introduction of the Boxster and Cayenne increased volume which dramaticallyl everaged their fixed costs.

Bob Rouleau

Porsche was in trouble in the early 90's, by 1995 they were stable and went up from there. They did indeed hire Japanese experts to teach them how to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Up to the 993, there was a huge manual labor content in each car, with German labor costs they were pricing themselves out of the market. Interestingly enough a 1996 993 C4S had a retail price in Canada which was higher than a 996 C4S. Considering that there was a ten year difference that says a lot. The Boxster was a huge success and the Cayenne even more so. The Cayenne was a must because Porsche was thrown out of the Audi show rooms - Porsche + Audi dealers were no more. Tough to sell 911's and Boasters in the winter in most parts of North America. Very smart management!

abe

"we don't eliminate jobs"...we will see about that in this economy. They will just keep cutting hours instead...same difference. "Made in Germany"...is that still true for all Porsches? "Most profitable.." hmm, sounds like we paid too much.
abe

Leader

Bob - there are still some Porsche/Audi dealers in Southern California: The Auto Gallery in Woodland Hills (formerly Ogner Porsche Audi), and the Rusnak stores in Pasadena and Thousand Oaks.

996FourEss

Basal, Wiedeking did study just in time / lean production principles extensively and it was his adoption of them at Porsche which both increased its profitability as well as cemented his position in the organisation. Having said that, the origins of lean production, which were mastered and propogated by Toyota (and Taiichi Ohno) are actually from an American administrator sent to Japan post-WW2 to help withthe rebuilding, a gentleman by the name of Edward Deming. Somewhat ironic that a Japanese Company influenced by an American eventually out-succeeds GM....

cello

^ +1; More on Dr. Deming here: https://rennlist.com/forums/off-topi...ing-again.html

Dr. Car

The Porsche principle is a little rambling, but sounds as if the writer overdosed on Ayn Rand before composing it...