More 911's than Boxsters sold???

[clnilsen]

I was looking at Ward's Automotive reports this month, and I see for Porsche Sales statistics are as follows:

911 (YTD) - 8,702
Boxster (YTD) - 5,699
No Cayenne stats available (not listed)

This is rather interesting for a "high volume" car, that it is outsold buy a car much more expensive.

Just odd.

Later!

Chuck

[sscates]

I understand that the Cayenne has outsold this year already. The target market for the Cayenne was the US, but worldwide sales have been better than expected. Now, if they can just make it look presentable. The Boxster is an old design, but no doubt where they based alot of technology for the Carerra (mid engine). Hopefully they'll change the boxster styling soon. It's unfortunate, but the only way for Porsche to survive is to sell cars to a broad market, like BMW. Otherwise, they will be owned by someone like Ford or something!

[sscates]

Cayenne outsold the 911 this year! Sorry.

[Neilk]

Originally posted by sscates
the only way for Porsche to survive is to sell cars to a broad market, like BMW. Otherwise, they will be owned by someone like Ford or something!

Looking at the cars Aston Martin, Ferrari and Lamborghini are producing today as subsidiaries of large automakers, I have to say I no longer care whether Porsche remains independent. I would rather see them sell themselves to VW than sell out their sports car heritage and become a SUV company.

[Paul Franssen]

NeilK, I feel you have a point there.
The 2-cent question of course is, would it make any difference? Would Porsche, as part of the VW empire (for instance...) revert to making present-day equivalents to 550's and 901's (and drop Cayenne-likes from the lineup)??? I'm sceptical...

Board, please correct me on below (which might be very ill informed, but I'm really curious to know more about such strategies)

Look at the Porsche family's behavior: almost reclusive, Butzi setting up almost a private wonderworld at Zell-am-See (Austria).
Which Porsche son (or daughter) is in line to take over the Porsche engineering + financial reins??
Don't you think we might be living the very times wherein the Porsche family ups the stakes ("best financial results ever") just before selling everything to ...VAG... to concentrate on the "Porsche design" company and leave these industrial hassles to ... others. I wonder...

[Bothari]

I actually support the idea that Porsche in VAG might actually revert to the kind of company that we want it to be.

It would probably not sell cayenne's and 4-door saloons mostly because VAG already has enough brands doing that, they would probably just use it to do what porsche does best : engineering, sports cars and racing...

Just to make it even more dreamy, i'll go out on a limb and say that it would garantee the 911 would stay rear-engined, as VAG allready has sportscars with front-engines (bentley) and mid-engines (lamborghini)... and besides, if you're an image brand, you do what your image expects you to do...

BTW, this is simply a personal opinion, nowhere near a statement of fact, so please put away the napalm and flame-throwers...

[clnilsen]

Originally posted by Paul Franssen

Look at the Porsche family's behavior: almost reclusive, Butzi setting up almost a private wonderworld at Zell-am-See (Austria). ... to concentrate on the "Porsche design" company and leave these industrial hassles to ... others. I wonder...

Paul:

I believe that recently There has been an agreement between Porsche AG and Porsche Design to partner back together... with an eye toward merging the two back to one entitiy.

Ostensibly this was to control the brand under one entity, but if you think that the second genreration of Porsche/Pietch are no spring chickens either.. i think you will see Porsche revert to a very large company with 2 familys of silent shareholders (yes I know that POrsche is publicly traded, but it's non-paticipatory).

Too bad the Porsche/Pietch family doesn't seem to be like the Fords.. considering it "the family business." There are a lot of Ford family memebers working lower level jobs at FMC, beyond just the obvious William Clay Ford. I think if this were the case, you would see a bit more sensitivity to the heritage than you see now.

Later!

Chuck

[RickM]

Isn't Porsche the most profitable auto maker in the world? Why would they want to sell to another company?

[sscates]

If Porsche ever did sell out to a bigger maker, it would be a temporary fix. They would not have control to make what they want to sell. They would be stuck selling what they were told to make. I think they need to do what ever they can to stay independent. That way, the 911 will always be what they want it to be, not what Ford wants it to be. I don't really like the Cayenne, but Cayenne owners are not prospective 911 owners. That's the whole point of what Porsche is doing. The Cayenne has no relevance to the 911. Just a product to make money on to ensure that Porsche is around for a long time.

[tkrefeld]

"but Cayenne owners are not prospective 911 owners. "


Right

I like the pepperfish but am a "911er" at heart. And I do like the 996. If I had 80K to spend on a car it would be a 996. And if I had $37K to spend on a car it would be a used 996.....After I had that I would go after a Cayanne. I believe the Cayanne to be a "trendy SUV Vehicle" for a "trendy SUV owner" crowd. I think the boxster has it's own crowd and the 911 its own. Sure there is cross buying but if you are into the 911 and not the Boxster or Cayanne then you get the 911. To many different people in the world to make "all the same type: of car". I like the style, sound and rear engine of the 911 and that is what I will buy..The fact that the Boxster does not interest me does not make be "snide' to Porsche for building it. They still make the car for me....Now if they drop the 911 or put the engine in a V or in front I will be *****ing loud and clear! Funny, but I like the plain ole Carrera 996 more than any other current. I don't think I'd get the Turbo even if I could....

[12own911]

Except for those that own both (911 and Cayenne)...

[SRISER]

I think the Boxster is a fine vehicle handling wise and for the most part looks wise, it just needs power and a unique front end. I think the issue may be one of identity for the Boxster.

Still on the fence with the Cayenne. I am attracted to the power and handling for such a vehicle but I don't really care for the looks.