Porsche hails 60th anniversary
Carrera GT at Porsche's Leipzig factory
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 02 June 2008
In a modest and understated manner, Porsche has announced its 60th anniversary and outlined plans to increase its stake in Volkswagen and improve its green credentials.
Porsche attributes its longevity to 'efficient production methods, clear branding and innovative models such as the 356 and the 911, Boxster and the Cayenne'. Hated though the Cayenne SUV generally is, it's a tremendous cash cow for Porsche.
“Today, Porsche is stronger than ever. We have the broadest and most appealing automobile model range in the history of our company. We have our costs and our processes under control and thus ensured our independence for the long term.
"We have always seen ourselves as David who must stand up to the Goliaths in this industry. This self-image has shaped us throughout the years - but it has also made us successful,” reckons Porsche CEO, Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking.
Porsche has recently borrowed €10bn VW to take over Volkswagen - which owns Audi, Seat, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti - and taken the fight against Congestion Charging to court on behalf of its affluent London customers.
Wiedeking took over management in 1992, with Porsche on the verge of a buyout after several unsuccessful years of new products, the result being the Boxster and adoption of ‘lean management’ and ‘lean production’ techniques
As it approaches its 60th birthday, Porsche is currently ranked first in JD Power's ‘Initial Quality Study’ and ‘Appeal Study'.
Porsche says it has reduced fuel consumption and emissions by an average of 1.7 per cent annually over the last 15 years, with hybrid systems on the Cayenne and new Panamera due to reduce that figure further.
And with regard to its attempted, but currently thwarted take-over of Volkswagen, Wiedeking promises independent futures for both companies.
“Porsche will remain Porsche in the future. Just as Volkswagen will remain Volkswagen. That is the recipe for success."
Top Ten Supercars of Last Decade has already seen Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Reventon, TVR Sagaris, Ferrari 360 Modena and others come and go. So don’t – whatever you do – not click on Porsche 996 GT3 chapter and verse. You'll regret it.
New 2009 Porsche Cayman S Sport coupe grabs blurry slice of 911 GT3 RS action for nearly half the price at fraction under £50K. September 13 sees the 700 limited edition 300bhp model go on UK sale.
New Porsche 911 Targa 4 and 4S supercar from £72,980 and £80,270 respectively. For those that won’t be rubbing Lacroix-seamed shoulders with polyester-stitched automotive riff-raff this October.
Porsche 9ff GT9 becomes fastest ever road-going Porsche. 43mph more urgent than Lamborghini Reventon, 1mph quicker than Bugatti Veyron.
With cheap petrol rare as gold dust in the UK, credit-crunch despondent Brits will be cheered to learn all that glitters in Russia is a gold Porsche 911 Turbo convertible.
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