Rumormill: VW to axe Porsche Cayenne and Panamera after merger
The past couple years have been a whirlwind for Porsche. The German luxury sportscar maker tried in vein to buy out the much larger Volkswagen only to come within a $700 million VW loan of bankruptcy. During that time, Porsche managed to hatch the all-new four door Panamera while refining much of the rest of its product lineup.
Nobody really knows what's going to happen to Porsche product lineup once VW takes over the mighty little sports car manufacturer, but CAR Magazine in the U.K. seems to think that the change will be dramatic. Namely, the British site says the cash-printing Cayenne SUV and the fresh on the market Panamera will be on the outs when the vehicles' product cycles end in seven years. CAR says VW chairman Ferdinand Piech is planning to take a more brand-specific approach to Porsche by focusing on the two seat sportscars that make the Stuttgart, Germany-based sports car maker great. One vehicle often rumored is a roadster that could slot below the Boxster in the Porsche lineup. The entry Porsche could be based on VW's Modular Sportscar Structure (MSS), giving Porsche an entry level mid-engine sports car for the rest of us (who have at least $35-40k).
While it makes sense for Porsche to focus on core products like the 911 and Boxster, it also makes abundant sense to keep profits coming. The Cayenne sells in relatively high numbers here in the U.S., and the Panamera could well end up being a success story in spite of its controversial aesthetics. Seven years is a long time, and we could easily see one or both vehicles surviving beyond 2016.
[Source: Auto Observer]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Grandeos 9:03AM (9/01/2009)
WISE MOVE !!! Anything that is not a sports car does not belong with a Porsche badge. Dont get me wrong, the Cayanne is a sweet SUV, minus the fugly front end, and the Panamara..... well that was just poorly conceived from the start. But overall, Porsche needs to focus on improving what they do best, rather than trying to catch-up to automakers who have already strayed off the path.
Lets leave the odd bodywork to the Sultan of Brunai, shall we ??
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bitterspeak 1:28PM (9/01/2009)
And where did you think Porsche gets their money to develop their "pure sport cars" and "racing program?" The money didn't just magically appear. The only reason the 911 series keeps evolving is because of the cash cow that are: Cayenne, Panamera, Boxster, and Cayman.
click.kas 5:34PM (9/01/2009)
the panamera and cayenne are the worst looking cars ever and they should be axed even before the merger
http://www.indianautotalk.com
Derek Washington 5:57AM (9/02/2009)
My only concern is, what will Douches drive to shop at the Ed Hardy store?
inteller 9:02AM (9/01/2009)
I'm liking this merger already!
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Adam Marcello 9:28AM (9/01/2009)
I think this is all a publicity stunt to get people to buy the Panamera. People will be hoaxed into thinking it will be a collectors piece. I'm willing to bet pre-orders aren't as high as they'd like.
That being said Id love to see these vehicles disappear so lets hope this is true.
Jei 10:53AM (9/01/2009)
Hmmm....I'm not so sure, but I have a great deal of confidence in VW so far. And VW has done well so far by letting its divisions operate with individuality in-mind. I appreciate the Cayenne for what it is and the success it has been. However, to simply discontinue it only to continue in the narrow approach of only providing 2-seaters is a bit short-sighted.
While Porsche does not have to offer something for everyone, it would be advantageous if they continued to refine the Cayenne in to more of a street-oriented vehicle. Toss out all those bulky off-roader bits and add intelligent AWD systems that assist the powertrain and suspension to provide excellent stability, confidence, and performance. Maybe the next-gen Cayenne isn't engineered with the Q7 & Touareg iin-mind....may be a modified Q5 is stretched, lowered, and widened to create the ultimate SAV (nay X5, X6).
James 11:32AM (9/01/2009)
Why waste alot of Porsche resource...
Herr Piech, just rebadge the Panamera as the next Phaeton and call it a day.
The Cayenne, well...make it the LAST 4dr Porsche and keep it. It 's a cash cow anyways...
Tool 12:31PM (9/01/2009)
I'm probably in the minority when I say that I am perfectly fine with the Panamera and Cayenne. When I was in the market, I looked at the Cayenne and seriously considered it.
I would also consider the Panamera because its awesome performance but can't get over its horrible looks. Just doesn't work for me at all.
The problem with VW owning/controlling Porsche is that it already has a lot of mouths to feed, a la GM, so I'm afraid that Porsche is going to be watered down by the inevitable corporate thinking that pervades these huge automakers.
sparrk 1:17PM (9/01/2009)
this makes sense in a perfect world, but not in the money driven real world. they won't kill any car that makes money , especially one with the profitability of the Cayenne. and Porsche invested too much in the Panamera to get axed , most likely they will turn it into a coupe and make a new 928. but it's all rumors anyway...
zamafir 2:19PM (9/01/2009)
does anyone recall what Porsche was planning on doing with VW? Nix the R8, the veyron, possibly even lamborghini and relegate VAG to less RS sort of sedans and VW to purely budget cars? yes? Great than it should be NO surprise VW's talking of doing the same with Porsche.
Good idea? Probably not, we all know their SUV saved the brand and in turn saved VW as Porsche was flush with money from it. I think this is just more of that petty family squabbling.
Avinash machado 9:04AM (9/01/2009)
So Piech will still be calling the shots.
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Redline 9:51AM (9/01/2009)
After all these years, he is back in control. Crazy.
Wayno-san 9:06AM (9/01/2009)
Good, that thing looks ridiculous!
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Luis 9:06AM (9/01/2009)
While I don't like the Cayenne, the Panamera is pretty sweet. Plus, they could plug the profits into making better sports cars. I'd say keep the money coming and bring out better cars.
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Rick 9:32AM (9/01/2009)
I'm the exact opposite. The Cayenne is a badass SUV while the Panamera looks corny and hokie.
Ben 10:54AM (9/01/2009)
Why don't they do what Aston Martin does and build a mini Porsche? There should be enough Lupos to go around.
cdwrx 11:31AM (9/01/2009)
They no longer need to diversify. There is no longer a need for Porsche to do anything but what they do best.
Farmboy 9:07AM (9/01/2009)
Oh please yes.
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RWD fan 9:08AM (9/01/2009)
Amen.
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