Exact Reasons For 930 Being Withdrawn from US Market ('80-'85)

[postlapsaria]

Hi Everyone,

First post here - I've tried my best to research this topic from past discussions but still have a few questions that I'm hoping can be answered.

As we all know, the '80-'85 930's were withdrawn from the US markets, and it is often cited to be mainly due to emissions and sometimes safety specifications as well.

I was hoping that someone can provide a detailed explanation as to exactly what were the reasons the 930 didn't meet emissions/safety standards during those years in the US. I've heard varying reasons such as no steel reinforcement on the doors, reinforcements in the bumper, issues with lighting and with safety glass.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[gorskined]

Stricter Emissions Standards: The primary reason for the 930's withdrawal after the 1979 model year was the introduction of new, tighter emissions regulations in the US.

Compliance Costs: Modifying the engine (specifically the 3.3-liter turbo version introduced in 1978) to meet the unique US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards was expensive. Given the 930's relatively low sales volume compared to other models, Porsche determined it was not a sound business decision to invest in the necessary federalization for this specific model at that time

according to a quick google search . this would also make sense given the m491 wide body non turbo cars during those years that it was a motor related issue .

[Matt Monson]

It goes further than just the 930. By the 80s, Porsche was planning to discontinue the 930, and potentially the whole 911 line, replacing them with the 928 as their premium flagship model with the lesser 924/944 models rounding out the line. There was a belief that emissions and noise standards would end the air cooled engine completely, and they were making moves to switch over to the front engine water cooled cars.

[Haydenjr]

The Porsche 930 did not fail specific US safety standards that caused its withdrawal in the early 80s. The car was available in the US from 1976-1979 with US safety and emissions standards in place at the time.

[Noah930]

I thought there was also the element of potential litigation regarding the safety of the car. Wasn't there some widow who sued Porsche after her husband died behind the wheel of a 930? Brake pedal was sheared off, but it actually looked like it had snapped upon the impact, and not as a cause of the crash itself.

[slow&rusty]

Interest rates for a 30-yr mortgage in the US in 1981 peaked at almost 19%

The economy was in a bit of a turmoil.

That could be part of it.

[RarlyL8]

The '78/9 USA 930s were hobbled by that horrific thermo reactor exhaust system reducing power from 300chp for the Euro models to 265chp for the US with equally horrific turbo lag. Those cars literally had a 2000rpm power band. Likely all reasons sited contributed to the removal of the 930 from the US market from '80-85. I've owned several of the gray market '80-'85 Euro cars and absolutely love them. Converting a '78/9 to Euro engine spec is also extremely easy as they already have the Euro CIS.

[stownsen914]

Originally Posted by Noah930

I thought there was also the element of potential litigation regarding the safety of the car. Wasn't there some widow who sued Porsche after her husband died behind the wheel of a 930? Brake pedal was sheared off, but it actually looked like it had snapped upon the impact, and not as a cause of the crash itself.

Yes, I remember this, pretty much as you say. It was a big lawsuit at the time and was in the news for a while. It may have ended in a settlement (probably a big one), but the liability risk was noted I'm sure. And I'm sure this was a factor in Porsche's decision, with the 930 being considered a "widowmaker" and all ...

[stownsen914]

Just searched a bit and found mention of several high profile lawsuits involving accidents in 930s, including the one where the brake pedal failed and another involving professional hockey player Pelle Lindbergh.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-930-turbo-super-charging-forum/528896-anyone-remember-philadelphia-flyers-goalie-pelle-lindbergh-crashing-his-red-930-85-a.html

[djpateman]

It was basically the emissions, we still had the Turbo in Canada at the time and with the regulations in place being virtually identical it was the only difference of relevance.

[mepstein]

Originally Posted by stownsen914

Just searched a bit and found mention of several high profile lawsuits involving accidents in 930s, including the one where the brake pedal failed and another involving professional hockey player Pelle Lindbergh.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-930-turbo-super-charging-forum/528896-anyone-remember-philadelphia-flyers-goalie-pelle-lindbergh-crashing-his-red-930-85-a.html

I met Pelle and the car a month or two before the crash. Many of the Flyers lived in Moorestown or nearby. Mark Howe lived next door to my parents and was having a big party. I was drawn to the red turbo. I think the crash happened at dead man’s curve on the way into town. Descending radius turn that went under a train bridge. Big stone wall. I would have been a freshman in college but it was certainly big news in my hometown.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by stownsen914

Just searched a bit and found mention of several high profile lawsuits involving accidents in 930s, including the one where the brake pedal failed and another involving professional hockey player Pelle Lindbergh.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-930-turbo-super-charging-forum/528896-anyone-remember-philadelphia-flyers-goalie-pelle-lindbergh-crashing-his-red-930-85-a.html

This happened after they had already been stopped a few years.

[shlobeck]

The widowmaker’s reputation precedes itself. I actually spoke to the first responding officer in San Diego earlier this year on this crash. He said it was a gruesome scene and Porsche lied about the inherent safety of the 930 in the subsequent lawsuit. It’s always been very difficult car to drive fast, leading to a lot of average drivers over extending their abilities.
Lawsuits like this prior to 1980 probably had a hand in it as well as emission, sales, and the future direction of the 911. The reintroduction of the 930 in 1986 is a far different driving car as opposed to an early 3 liters car of the mid 70’s. But there’s not one definitive reason for pulling out of the US Market.

[Speedy Squirrel]

The 911 model was planned to end by 1980, including the Turbo. However, the take rate for the 928 and 924 was not as high as expected. Porsche had its first money loosing year in 1980, and Peter Schultz replaced Ernst Fuhrmann as CEO.

Schultz’s first priority was to boost sales in the USA, so the 911 was revived.

Unfortunately, the US 1980 vehicle emissions regulations were significantly tightened in recognition of the availability of the newly developed 3-way catalyst technology.

Applying this technology was non-trivial, requiring closed loop fuel control and O2 sensor feedback in addition to the 3-way cat.

The investment direction was towards the 911 and Motronic. The 930 was delayed until 1986 model year to allow completion of the very successful 911 Carrera.