Porsche will accelerate the development of a new compact crossover with an internal combustion engine and a hybrid
Porsche is reviewing its product strategy: after focusing on electric cars, the company is once again making a U-turn towards internal combustion engines. This was announced by Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, who admitted that the attempt to switch to electric cars was premature.
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Initially, abandoning the internal combustion engine seemed like a logical step: sales of electric cars were growing, especially in China, and Porsche planned to replace the petrol-powered 718 and Macan with their electric versions. But the market has changed - especially in the US, where demand for electric cars has started to slow.
"The world is changing dramatically, and most importantly, it's changing in a very different way from what was expected just a few years ago," Blume said after the company released its financial report for the first half of the year. Porsche recorded a 6 per cent drop in global sales and a 67 per cent drop in profits.
However, Porsche is not giving up on electric cars completely. Taycan had good sales, and the new electric Macan is in demand: in Europe, electric cars account for a third of all Porsche sales, and every second Macan is bought in EV-version. But the electric car segment itself has not been as large as expected.
To adapt, Porsche will return to a more balanced line-up. "From 2028, we will offer a wider range of powertrains, which will strengthen our position and ensure long-term growth," Blume said.
A key part of the new course is the development of a compact crossover with petrol and hybrid versions. According to Bloeme, this model will come out "no later than 2028" and will be an addition to the existing electric Macan. That said, the petrol version will differ from the electric car in both design and character.
It's unclear whether the petrol crossover will retain the Macan name or get a new name - a decision that could show how much Porsche wants to distance the fuel-electric version from the electric car.
It's also reported that the next-generation Cayenne will also be offered with petrol and electric motors. And the crossover codenamed K1, which will debut near the end of the decade, may also get an internal combustion engine version. Although previously planned exclusively as an electric vehicle.
The future of the 718 Boxster and Cayman models remains uncertain. Initially their electric versions were to be released earlier, but due to the bankruptcy of battery supplier Northvolt, the premiere has been postponed until 2027.
Source: Automobilwoche
