Porsche has come to grips with the reality that the introduction of electric vehicles is not happening as quickly as expected a few years ago. In early 2022, outgoing CEO Oliver Blume predicted that as much as 80 percent of new car sales would be fully electric. That ambitious goal is no longer in effect and the new plan is simple but effective: give people what they want.
Australia Driving force magazine spoke to Porsche’s local Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, who revealed that the updated strategy aims to accommodate both parties. Daniel Schmollinger said the idea is to “give the customer freedom of choice depending on where they stand in terms of being electric ready or still liking gasoline. [models].”
As a member of the Volkswagen Group, Porsche is in the fortunate position to remain flexible and respond to changing customer tastes. For example, the company is accelerating the development of a new gasoline crossover, related to the Audi Q5, to replace the original Macan. Originally not part of the plan, the confirmed successor, which will not be called Macan, is expected to ride on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) already used by several Audi models.
Speaking of gasoline engines, the Cayenne and Panamera will retain their big ol’ V-8 well into the next decade. The next Boxster and Cayman will be largely electric, but the top versions will retain a combustion engine, possibly a hybrid six-cylinder adapted from the 911 GTS. Whatever the future holds for the 718, it will be outlived by the 911. Zuffenhausen has repeatedly said he wants the iconic 911 to go down in history as the brand’s last internal combustion car.
Photo by: Porsche
For those ready to make the switch to electric, the second-generation Macan and Taycan will be joined by an electric Cayenne later this week. Codenamed ‘K1’, a future three-row SUV will offer both ICE and EV derivatives, despite previous plans to sell the luxury barge exclusively with electric powertrains.
Schmollinger argued that Porsche can tailor its product portfolio to demand:
“We don’t judge, whatever you want is fine with us, and we are in a position from a manufacturing perspective to respond to what the market wants.”
But there is a noticeable void in the portfolio. The first-generation Macan will be discontinued in mid-2026, with a replacement not expected until 2028. The gap will put a serious dent in volume, as the smaller of Porsche’s two crossovers has always topped the sales rankings. The absence of the ICE Macan is already being felt in Europe, where the model had to be discontinued last year because it did not comply with new cybersecurity regulations.
Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1
With the backing of the VW Group, Porsche is strong enough to bounce back after grossly overestimating the rise of electric cars. But the bigger picture matters, especially now that the European Union is determined to phase out the sale of new combustion engine cars from 2035. That mandate is one of the main reasons why so many legacy automakers are aggressively pushing electric cars. In addition, stricter EU rules are forcing companies to sell more electric cars to reduce their fleet emissions and avoid high fines.
All things considered, automakers are caught between a rock and a hard place. Electric cars are still not nearly as profitable or as popular as gasoline cars, but they are still a necessity from a regulatory perspective.
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