ADias

I agree. This statement makes no sense at this time, as it may hurt sales. In the grand scheme of things as part of VAG it would make sense for PAG to focus on sports cars, but then Audi should focus on luxury sedans and drop the TT/R8/R10.

Leader

I don't have the sales figures on the VW SUV, but my understanding is they're selling every one they can build.
I know you can't just go buy one in Southern California. You have to wait for one to become available. They ain't sittin' on the VW lots.

Alan Smithee

My guess: To satisfy upcoming government regulations here and in Europe, VAG will be focusing on diesels and hybrids for the large sedans and SUVs, which better suit the Audi and VW brands (yes, I know both Cayenne and Panamera hybrids are being developed, but that was when Porsche needed them as a stand-alone company).

Sounds like VAG plans on refocusing Porsche. I agree that (as SUVs go) the Cayenne is a nice truck. But IMO, having owned a Touareg, it is of less than VW quality; as a product, it made sense to keep Porsche independent, but now that Porsche is not, I don't see the point. The Panamera may be nice to drive, but IMO the styling is going to cripple it. Hopefully a 2-door 928 successor will make the investment worthwhile.

Back in 2002, I thought Porsche should have done an affordable sports car like the 914 instead of a truck. But I understood the logic behind the Cayenne, and accepted it. I'm glad to hear that Porsche may be going back to its roots.

VW has done a great job with Lamborghini and Bugatti (not to mention Audi). I'm not worried about Porsche.

Bob in NY

My guess is profitability will be the key to deciding which models to keep in the line up. In cold weather states there isn't a lot of action happening in the sports car segement during the winter months so I assume dealer input will also be a factor.

Edgy01

Let's hope no one writes off the Panamera before it gets a chance really hit the market. After some 35 years with Porsche, I have learned that their stylists and automotive engineers know a lot more about what looks good than I do (my tastes adjust!) and what drives well! The niche for the Panamera is real--a true four seat Carrera.

jsmirand

Given the sunk R&D costs, I presume the Panamera will be given a chance. Its release timing maybe somewhat fortunate, possibly at the tail end of a recession versus 2 years ago.

Maybe its because I hate the feel of SUV's over Sedans but whenever I get a Cayenne loaner at the Porsche dealer I frankly hate how it drives. I'd rather be driving my spare leave-at-the-airport V6 Honda Accord over a stock Cayenne - The Honda is faster, smoother, and feel much more planted.

The Panamera pictures to me look interesting though, and agree, hope it is given a chance in the luxury 2 person, occasional 4 person Sedan market. At least Porsche designers were exploring a new niche vs. being a follower.

dasams

VM is very astute at platform sharing and I can't see them giving up the margin that the Cayenne brings. What I see are increased sales of the 911 through cost cutting moves such as fixed option packages. The 911 will never be the same. dave

RollingArt

They did that in 1997.

Have you heard of the Boxster?

What do you think it was all about?

I want to test drive a Panamera and see what it's like.


Phil

Carrera GT

That's pure marketing doublespeak. Porsche enthusiasts can trust VW about as far as any one of them could comfortably spit a dead rat.

Alan Smithee

Yeah, Phil, I've heard of the Boxster. I've actually seen a few around town. But it's a $50k car, just like it was when news of the Cayenne was breaking in 2002...and not what the general population would consider 'affordable'.

I thought it was obvious that I was referring to something less expensive; perhaps in the mid-$30s to compete with the likes of the 370Z, Audi TT, Mini JCW, BMW 135i, etc.

Edgy01

You know, that image will stay with me longer than I wanted.

djcxxx

Ultimately VW has to decide how to position Porsche within the corporation. It's really as simple as that. If there are perceived redundancies they will be eliminated. The hybrid Porsches will be the first and most obvious casualties as "Porsche Hybrid" is almost an oxymoron anyway. If VW decides to position Porsche as a true high performance brand it would not be difficult to offer only the highest performance (and highest profit margin) models of both the Cayenne and Panamera. This would minimize fratricide among the brands and preserve the image of Porsche while still snagging those high end buyers. The Panamera Turbo appears to be the only variant that really moves the car, and the same could be said about the Cayenne, w/ the Turbo and GTS models the most desirable.

Carrera GT

Sorry about that. It's an old HHGTTG line.

RollingArt

In 2002 Boxster prices started @ $42,500. It definitely competed on price .

Porsche has never been interested in competing with the beetle. If they did we'd all jump on the bandwagon to chastize them for that. I know,, you didn't say "beetle", I'm just trying to demonstrate you're missing the point of the boxster. It was designed to be a more affordable, introductory Porsche.

If that doesn't do it for you how about the Porsche bicycle?

http://www.gizmag.com/go/1192/picture/387/

These were "only" $11,000.

Do you REALLY think they should be building cars in the $30's?

I think not. It is simply not their style or place.



Phil

Ucube

Porsche has no business building cars in the $30's. While that may garner more sales overall, it completely devalues the brand.