Autoblog

Report: Porsche CEO denies Chinese SUV rumors

Zach Bowman — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, China, Europe, Crossover, Porsche, Luxury

It would seem that some of the rumors surrounding the upcoming Porsche Cajun were greatly exaggerated. Porsche CEO Matthias Müller has announced that his company won't be producing a new small SUV based off of the Audi Q5 in China or anywhere else, for that matter. Müller said that while the future may force his company to consider moving production of one or more models overseas, right now the automaker will stick to cranking out vehicles in Germany. Previously, Porsche had said that it was taking some time to consider a new manufacturing facility in China - one of the fastest growing car markets on the planet.

Interestingly enough, Porsche hasn't said that the Cajun is dead all together. Müller simply made it clear that the vehicle wouldn't be based on any bones currently bumping around the Volkswagen family tree. The vehicle is intended to land just below the current Cayenne and allow younger buyers to jump into the exclusive Porsche brand at a more accessible price point. Early reports have the Cajun landing in show rooms no sooner than 2014.

[Sources: The Truth About Cars, Gasgoo]

Report: Porsche CEO denies Chinese SUV rumors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Porsche to collaborate with Bentley?

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Bentley, Porsche, Rumormill

Porsche and Bentley are related under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, and a new rumor suggests that the two might become kissing cousins. Autocar had a chance to speak with Porsche CEO Matthias Müller, and the head honcho of the German sports ~~car~~ vehicle brand says that a collaboration with Bentley could help push future Panamera variants foward. Per Müller,

"I think we have to discuss with Bentley whether we can put together our performance, our engineers. It should be possible."

He goes on to state that sticking to just a four-door sports car is boring. The Panamera should be revised into a handful of iterations, and Müller uses terms like "van", "combi" and "longer." If you are a Porsche loyalist, we'll give you a minute to restart your heart.

One variant we hope the Brits and the Germans can breathe life into? A Porsche 928. There have been rumors and speculation for years now, so perhaps this inter-brand teamwork is just what the doctor (would have) ordered.
[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Porsche to collaborate with Bentley? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Porsche puts all new model plans under review

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, Rumormill

According to Autocar magazine, Porsche chairman Matthias Müeller has announced that the German automakers plans for future models are currently being put on hold. This includes both a small, sub-Boxster roadster and the Cajun small crossover. The company needs to review currently proposed new models and see where they fit into the current lineup of Porsche vehicles. A business case needs to be presented and many questions have to be answered before Porsche proceeds. The planned strategic review is understood to not impact revisions of models that are currently in production.

This is not to say the vehicles won't be built. Müeller says the ideas for both of the smaller Porsche models are still very much alive, but each design needs to make financial sense. The business cases will be presented and the questions will be answered, with a decision-due date set for the end of this year.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Porsche puts all new model plans under review originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet the New Boss: Porsche, VW swap top execs in management reshuffle

Noah Joseph — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Porsche, Volkswagen

Porsche's integration into the Volkswagen Group has already and will undoubtedly continue to see increased cooperation between the allied German automakers in a number of arenas, from platforms and engines to production methods and technology. And let's not forget personnel, as evidenced by the latest shift in top management announced by Porsche and Volkswagen.

Effective October 1, Porsche's current chief executive Michael Macht will move to Volkswagen's management board to oversee production for the entire group. In his place, Matthias Müller - pictured right, a 33-year veteran of the VW Group and currently head of product planning - will take the reins as chairman of Porsche's board of management.

Volkswagen AG has also created a new board to supervise the company's various commercial truck divisions, which will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, who currently holds the production portfolio that departing Porsche chairman Michael Macht will now be assuming. Got that all straight? You can read more in the press releases from both Volkswagen and Porsche after the jump.

[Sources: Porsche, Volkswagen]

Continue reading Meet the New Boss: Porsche, VW swap top execs in management reshuffle

Meet the New Boss: Porsche, VW swap top execs in management reshuffle originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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