<, Just read an article in the Economist about the auto industry and it
claimed that the Porsche Boxter is not manufactured by Porsche but contracted
out
to engineering firms because of its limited production.>>
The Boxster (started in '97) was originally built only in Germany but because
demand was so high additional production was contracted out to Valmet, an
auto assembly plant in Uusikaupunki, Finland. For a time both German and
Finnish
cars were coming to the US but now, because the Finnish cars have slightly
better paint, only Finnish assembled cars come to the US to avoid comparisons
by
finicky buyers. I wouldn't call a Boxster a limited production car by any
means. What I don't know is where the Cayman (sort of a Boxster coupe) will be
built in quantity. There are going to sell like mad, despite the price. The
question being asked is whether the Cayman will become the mid-engined 911
people
have been asking for all these years and if it will affect 911 sales
significantly.
>From AutoChannel today;
Porsche AG reveals record Sales/Revenue Results and Unveils Cayman S at
Frankfurt Motor Show
ATLANTA, Sept. 13 -- At its press conference today at the Frankfurt Motor
Show (IAA) in Germany, Porsche announced its decision to build a hybrid version
of its highly successful Cayenne SUV, revealed provisional results for its
2004/2005 fiscal year, and took the wraps off its newest sports car -- the 2006
Cayman S.
The hybrid Cayenne will cut fuel consumption by approximately 15 percent
while retaining its legendary Porsche driving dynamics. To be launched by the
end of the decade, the vehicle's environmentallyfriendly drive system is being
developed together with Volkswagen Group. It will be based on a Full Hybrid
Drive Concept, meaning that the vehicle will be powered by both a gasoline
combustion engine and an electric motor that operate independently or In a
joint
process.
Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsche President and CEO, announced the companyagain
set records for both revenue and sales. For the fiscal year that ended
July 31, 2005, revenue was up by 6.8 percent to Euro 6.56 billion, while sales
increased by 15 percent to 88,379 vehicles worldwide. Porsche attributes much
of the growth to successful sales of the redesigned Porsche Boxster models (up
38.7 percent worldwide) and the new-generation Porsche 911 Carrera models (up
17.4 percent worldwide). Total Cayenne sales of 41,884 units (up 4.9
percent worldwide) reflect the ongoing attraction of Porsche's youngest model
line.
Porsche expects to see further sales momentum as a result of the long-awaited
two-seat Cayman S coupe, which premiered today and will be introduced in the
North American market in January 2006. Flaunting a pedigree of both the 911
Carrera and Boxster series, this striking extension of Porsche's range of
sports
cars incorporates dramatic new styling, a powerful 295 hp (SAE) engine, and
features and options made popular by its brethren. The only mid-engine coupe in
its class, the Cayman S is positioned and priced between the Porsche 911
Carrera and Porsche Boxster S.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., and its
subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of
Porsche
911, Boxster and Carrera GT sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for
the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.
h.c.F. PorscheAG, PCNA employs approximately 250 people who provide Porsche
vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 209 US and Canadian
dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.
RLE
