Porsche purchases Andial

Chino · 02-16-2013, 12:14 PM

Porsche purchases Andial performance brand - Autoweek

Elombard · 02-16-2013, 02:33 PM

I was thinking it would be neat if they did an AMG thing with Andial, instead of a GT3 911 call it an Andial 911.....maybe not, GT3 is pretty cool.

Lukesportsman · 02-17-2013, 07:13 AM

Yes, it obviously helps the communication and cash flow potential may go up. BUT, doesn't that also rein in some of the creativity as all the products will have to fall under mass market rules and the liability and durability issues of the VW mega model? VW isn't known for its crazy relaxed out of box thinking in production items. Great prototypes, but legal team often reins them in for liability.....rem their three wheel car.

Lukesportsman · 02-17-2013, 07:16 AM

What I'm thinking here is the same thing that happened to Saleen and Ruff. Once their success reached a level to become celebrated as a mass production builder, they then had to play by a whole new set of rules.

With success comes, penalties. Whether that is through one's own production numbers or being adopted/consumed by a larger corporation.

juicersr · juicersr's Garage

Guess i am the only one that sees the sad irony of this... 'Porsche' (am i still allowed to type that without getting in trouble with the legal dept? Not sure these days) buying Andial to make sure the motorsports connection charade continues. What is next? Buying Kremer? Now that 'Porsche' is (barely) a one trick pony on the track, and focusing on keeping the masses and corporate cuticle pushers happy with family cars, it has to try and back up the BS it is churning out (917 graphics on the 918 spyder, etc) by doing stuff like this. Yeah, a 911 'Andial' version.. r u kidding me?? The lame corporate spin of 'Porsche' that make me continually shake my head continues....

Elombard · 02-18-2013, 06:12 AM

Juice, i agree but....could they still make cool sports cars if they did not expand into larger markets? I cant afford the new stff anyway so my opinion does not matter to them.

Yah I can see an 'Andial' 911 being a 991S with a specific option package (sport seat belts ;-)) and carrying the name.

I am very curious to see what they do with Andial, I cant see any benefit to them having it currently, so there must be some plan.

Or is the reason that they dont want some one else to buy Andial and start tuning/racing WRXs and BRZs?

juicersr · juicersr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elombard

Juice, i agree but....could they still make cool sports cars if they did not expand into larger markets? ?

Fair enough, but all I continually see is profit for profit's sake. The lean days are long gone and yet there is still not the singular focus on or return to motorsports that once made 'Porsche' special. Where's the beef? Yeah, yeah, i know the 918 is great, etc, etc but lots of car manufacturers are doing equally cool stuff.

What gets my goat is the BS way in Porsche continues to spin themselves as something they are not. But then again, that is the general way of the world these days.

Elombard · 02-18-2013, 07:21 AM

Ahh I see what you are saying, yes they are relying heavily on their image which is based on ancient racing history. Although they are doing some neat racing stuff occasionally. But it has very little tie in to their road cars. Which is partially modern pro racings fault.

KNS · 02-18-2013, 08:12 AM

Sounds like a way for them to offer a new limited edition model (ala Mercedes AMG, wait a minute, how about AMG "Black") with an elevated price to go with it.

BMW has got their "M" sport division which really isn't so exclusive anymore now that they've put M badges on everything. How many versions of the 911 are there now? The Andial name can now raise the bar a notch.

Matt Monson · 02-18-2013, 09:18 AM

You've got to read all the way to the end of the article. Porsche didn't buy Andial. PMNA bought Andial. There will be no production car connection here. Not going to see an Andial model Carrera. You might see Andial branded parts made by PMNA to sell in the aftermarket, but I think that is the extent of it. Definitely don't see an Andial branded special edition Cup Car in the future...

Quicksilver · 02-18-2013, 10:11 AM

PMNA buying the ANDIAL name isn't that big of a stretch seeing that Alwin was the head of PMNA and even though he is "retired" he still is very involved.

ANDIAL acted as PMNA until the US dealers screamed bloody murder about an independent shop being the "factory racing arm". That was the real push behind Alwin leaving ANDIAL to run PMNA on the other side of the parking lot.

Matt Monson · 02-18-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

PMNA buying the ANDIAL name isn't that big of a stretch seeing that Alwin was the head of PMNA and even though he is "retired" he still is very involved.

ANDIAL acted as PMNA until the US dealers screamed bloody murder about an independent shop being the "factory racing arm". That was the real push behind Alwin leaving ANDIAL to run PMNA on the other side of the parking lot.

Yep. I see it as cronyism. Alwin giving his former partner a nice little retirement egg.

Scbrindley · Scbrindley's Garage

I had a chance to meet Dieter Inzenhofer while at Rennsport in CA....great guy. Spent a lot of time talking to him about some of the many amazing cars they built.

Wish I had an Andial tuned engine in my '89!

mamut · 04:30 PM

They should have bought RUF instead, but to late for that, Lotus F1 Group bought it. On the Andial issue, they just bought a name, ANDIAL was pretty disbanded as a business.