Circumstances caused by lack of customer demand
The EV backpedal throughout the automotive industry might hit Porsche too. During a recent Q3 earnings call, Lutz Meschke, Porsche deputy chairman and finance board member said “When it comes to research and development, then you will see also flexibility in the upcoming years in the direction that we will develop also new combustion-engine derivatives in order to give the right answer to customer demand in the different world regions.”
In other words, sales for their electric offerings are not as high as previously expected and those models may get gas engines again in the future. No specific models were mentioned but we can hypothesize that the all-electric Macan and the upcoming 718 Boxster and Cayman that were due for electrification are the likely candidates.
Meschke also highlighted Porsche’s Leipzig factory’s flexibility, which allows the company to produce combustion engine cars, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars all on one production line.
Porsche
Porsche’s original electrification goal postponed indefinitely
Porsche’s original goal was to electrify 80% of their lineup by 2030. However, in a July statement published by Reuters, the company said the transition was taking longer than they expected five years ago. Their new strategy would pivot to satisfying customer demand in the electric sector which could delay that 80% goal.
They also quoted EV demand as being “far ahead in China, slower in Europe, and spotty in the U.S.” Other European manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and Renault have also stated similar struggles in overall EV adoption.
Porsche
The 911 Carrera T is a recent example of a driver-focused approach
Porsche’s recent revival of the lightweight 911 Carrera T perfectly meets the desires of driving enthusiasts and further abandons the electrification goal. With its standard 3.0L twin-turbo boxer engine and exclusive manual transmission, it delivers the ultimate driver-focused experience that fans have been clamoring for.
Hybridization is the likely substitute for electrification
It’s unlikely that Porsche, or any other manufacturer, will entirely forgo electrification. The likely course of action is some sort of hybrid powertrain like we’ve seen from the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class or almost everything that Toyota has been doing for the past few years.
The extreme scenario would be a revival of the early 20th century where the affordable Ford Model T essentially sent electric cars into hibernation, except now it would be hybrids coming out on top. Imagine the headlines if that were to happen.
About the author
Gabriel Ionica
Senior Editor, Autoblog