Quote:
Originally Posted by kaisen
Porsche, and every other manufacturer, has to make sure their entire fleet sold averages whatever standard the governments set. Fuel economy, or carbon footprint.
So each "fuel economy" model makes room for your lusting 800 hp firebreather or that profitable 500hp turbo SUV that also makes room financially for that low-volume, low-profit 800hp firebreather.
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I don't think this argument holds up.
If this were solely about CAFE, carbon footprints, etc, then Porsche would not need to make tradeoffs of economy models for hot-rods. Porsche
can achieve the CAFE mandate with lightweight sports cars alone. My SC gets over 20 MPG with no EFI or computer controls.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaisen
It's no longer the good ol' days when Porsche could survive on a couple moderately priced sports cars selling low volumes.
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^^ This. ^^
Porsche is and has been moving more toward a mainstream market instead of a niche market.
The 911 got fatter and heavier so Mr. Upwardly Mobile can have his mocha grande on the way to the office, held conveniently in the flip-out cup holder. And his wife can go pick up the kids in the Cayenne while sneering at the moms who are driving
ordinary SUVs.
Now that the economy has faltered, they can trade the two in for a single Porsche station wagon that suits both needs, and Mr. UM can wax nostalgic about how his father also drove a station wagon.