So you think the PepperWagon won't sell...

[expat]

At the Porsche Club Hong Kong Sunday Drive yesterday (48 cars ) we were joined by the Business Development Manager for Asia (in a new Targa with many options).

Anyhow I sat next to him at breakfast and he said that in Hong Kong the release of the new 4x4 would be in March 2003 about the same as New Zealand apparently.

He said they had 60 presales orders from HK and 93 from New Zealand (Geeze Bill - what are you guys doing over there - selling all your sheep!!! )

In China the presales orders were in excess of these figures but he didn't give that number up.

Apparently over here the price is about the same as the ML Mercedes and X5 BMW, although the price is yet to be released.

He's one pretty excited dude given that he's probably in his earlier thirties and has the whole of the Asia region to market into. He's been here for 5 months (originally from Germany) and gets to drive whatever's in the show room. The Targa he turned up with on Sunday was sporting the trade plates which looked pretty shabby but I wouldn't complain.

Photos and commentary to follow about the HK drive day.

Cheers
Mark

[cegerer]

I don't think anybody believes it won't sell. It's the long-term damage/dilution to Porsche that is the issue. Keith Martin explains the problem in AutoWeek:

This week's market report in AutoWeek features a 1986 944 Turbo that sold for $7,700.

"There's a lesson in the 924/944/968 saga for Porsche that it doesn't appear they have learned. The world wants them to build rear-engine sports cars, and every time they venture from that calling, they have some immediate sales success but do long-term damage to their image. The 924 was a crappy car, and nothing Porsche did to improve the later models could save them from ridicule by association. Today, 914 owners get more respect at P-club meetings than front-engine P-owners. If nothing ever breaks on this particular Turbo (and you still believe in Santa Claus as well), it was a fair buy for the performance it offers. But it will never be accepted as a true Porsche. Oh, the lesson Porsche hasn't learned from its past mistakes about being careful with its image and core focus? You might just spell it Cayenne."

Keith Martin, www.sportscarmarket.com

[Milu]

It will sell. It will depreciate like a brick. The real Porsche automobile for me died with the 993. I just can't get that enthusiastic about current products. If the recent financial and marketing outlooks on Porsche are valid it's probably just a matter of time before it becomes another VWAudi department.

[Wil Ferch]

Hi:
I see additional problems on the utility / pricing front....

If you want utility ( towing capacity, size....fearless venturing into the wilds)..then any number of US products look very attractive.

If, OTOH, you want status, and Soccer-Mom hauling ability, the MB and BMW products are much less expensive....as would the Range Rover line.

With Porsche pricing in the $65-$85K range....I'm not even so sure it will be a ( long term) marketing success, relative to other high-end SUV options...

Basically, I just don't get it....and probably never will.




--- Wil Ferch

[BK911]

I try to see things optimsitically. Even though I can't spell it! I am hoping Porsche is just trying to sell some SUV's in order to do engine R&D for their racing return.

But truthfully I don't care what they do. I am most impressed with what they did. As long as there are still plenty of MFI'd long hoods available I am happy!

Tootles,
BK