Decision taken by the Porsche Supervisory Board

Green Light for Series Development of the 918 Spyder

Stuttgart. In its session today, the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, gave the green light for series development of the Porsche 918 Spyder. Reflecting the overwhelming response from the public and customers to the Concept Study, the Supervisory Board gave Porsche’s Board of Management the mission to develop a production model based on the car already presented. This concept version of an ultra-high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and at Auto China in Bejing, hitting the headlines worldwide.

Michael Macht, President and Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG: “Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts. We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base.”

The Concept Study of the 918 Spyder allows CO2 emissions of just 70 g/km, corresponding to fuel consumption of 3.0 litre/100 km (94.1 mpg imp) in the NEDC, on the one hand, and the performance of a super-sports car, on the other. This extremely efficient drivetrain technology then forms a symbiosis in the 918 Spyder with truly outstanding design and high-tech motorsport achievements. Further product details of the 918 Spyder will be disclosed in the months to come.

“Be the 1st on your block…”

Change in Top Management: Michael Macht Appointed Board Member Production of VW Group

Matthias Müller New Chairman of the Porsche AG Board of Management

Editors Note: Every successful corporation has a common trait. That trait being the premise that “good things start at the top”. Here at PML we’ve been watching the whole VW- Porsche Merger & Acquisition scenario unfold.  We like what we see – so far. The VW Management Team brings a whole new perspective to the long-term outlook at Porsche.  Judging from VW’s success in the global marketplace, Porsche is in a position to become an even stronger, more robust brand that will continue to build interesting products. The Porsche enthusiast community can argue back and forth on the merits (or lack of) of the VW Merger & Acquisition until everyone’s blue in the face…but the bottom line is this: The merger was the best move given the circumstances surrounding Porsche.  We look forward to their continued success.

Stuttgart. Taking effect on 1. October 2010, the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has appointed Matthias Müller (57) the new Chairman of the Board of Management of the world-famous manufacturer of premium sporting cars. Müller, moving from Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg, to the Top Management of Porsche AG, is following in the footsteps of Michael Macht (49) appointed a Member of the Group Board Management of Volkswagen AG by the Supervisory Board. In future Macht will be responsible for the Production Division and, as a result, the control and coordination of all plants within the Volkswagen Group.

Matthias Muller

Previously in charge of Product Planning, Product Management and Model Series for the VW Group and the Volkswagen Brand, Matthias Müller has successfully promoted the development of Product Lines in the last three years within the VW Group. “Matthias Müller gives us the exceptional competence of an outstanding product expert benefiting the interaction of independent brands within an Integrated Automotive Group leading the market worldwide. Contributing this knowledge, he guarantees that Porsche, as a world brand, will not only maintain, but further expand its top position”, states Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG, on the appointment of Müller, who hails from the town of Chemnitz in Eastern Germany.

Dr. Porsche also expresses great praise for the outstanding services of the former Chairman of the Board of Management: “Michael Macht took over the leadership of Porsche AG in a period crucial to the Company. Through his skill and many years of experience within the Porsche Group, he has succeeded in restabilising the Company within a short time, placing our operations on a strong and solid foundation. Concluding the Fundamental Agreement between Porsche Automobil Holding SE and Volkswagen AG, Michael Macht has played a significant role in setting out the ongoing schedule for our fully Integrated Automotive Group.”

The Chairman of Porsche AG’s Group Works Council, Uwe Hück, also congratulated the former Chairman of the Board of Management: “I wish Michael Macht all the very best and lots of success in his new position on Volkswagen’s Group Board. I know that in future the people at Porsche will remain close to him and that he will continue to work all-out to use the full capacity of our plants in Zuffenhausen and Leipzig to the benefit of the Company.

Hück also bid a warm welcome to the new Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG: “From numerous talks with Matthias Müller I know that he will maintain Porsche’s unique and independent position also in future. Precisely this makes him the right man for us representatives of the workforce, which is why we give him our full support. We already see him today as a genuine “Porsche man” enabling us to really push down the throttle at all our plants. I am confident that the workforce will work well and successfully with Matthias Müller to the benefit of the Porsche Company as a whole.”

New Cayenne also particularly favored by Americans

Stuttgart. In June, the US market developed extremely successfully for Dr. Ing h. c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart: deliveries to customers soared to 2,141 cars. This corresponds to an increase of 137 percent, as compared with the same month of the previous year (902 cars). The new generation of the sporty utility vehicle Cayenne, 496 (+ 80 percent) of which were sold at the beginning of the month when it was first introduced in the US, has been outstandingly well received.

Equally pleasing is the great interest shown in the new Panamera Gran Turismo, which sold 739 cars in June, reaching the highest level of sales since it was introduced. The sales of Porsche icon 911 increased significantly compared to the previous year: 544 US customers decided to purchase the coveted sports car (+ 48 percent). In the mid-engine model range, Boxster sales increased by 75 percent with 240 cars sold in June; Cayman sales remained more or less stable with 123 deliveries (- 1 percent).

After the first six months of the current calendar year, Porsche sold a total of 10,984 vehicles in the US. This corresponds to an increase of 14 percent, as compared to the same period of the previous year.

New Gran Turismo defies the difficult market environment

Editor’s note: the 1st, upper portion of this article addressing sales performance, is from April 2010. The remainder of the article is from mid June 2010. Here at PML we feel the Panamera platform will go a long ways to ensure Porsche’s survival as a Sports Car Company (or – put another way – as a Sports Car Division of VW…). Yes, the visual impact of this car is an “acquired taste” from some angles…However, we’ve driven several variants of the Panamera to date.  It’s everything Porsche says it is…truly an impressive car.

Stuttgart. In April the Panamera became Porsche’s best-selling model in the US for the first time. A record number of 678 customers chose the four-passenger Gran Turismo. The premium sports car manufacturer had to operate in a difficult overall market environment and sold 1,747 units from its current model lines to US customers. This is a fall of around six percent on the same month last year.

In addition to the Panamera, which has been available on the US market since October 2009, the Boxster and Cayman mid-engine models both had good news to report: 219 units of the Boxster were sold, a rise of around 28 percent compared to April 2009, and 135 units of the Cayman were sold, three percent up on last April. Deliveries of the 911 model fell 42 percent to 389 units compared to the same period last year. The Cayenne posted a life-cycle related decline of about 63 percent to 326 vehicles. The new generation of the sporty SUV will be launched on the US market starting in July 2010, and it will also be available for the first time as a technically demanding parallel full hybrid model. The Cayenne S Hybrid consumes only 8.2 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers in the New European Driving Cycle, which is the equivalent of 193 grams per kilometer in CO2 emissions.

Porsche Panamera Now Even More Efficient and With New Options

Stuttgart. The eight-cylinder Panamera models are entering the next model year as of August 2010 with an even higher standard of all-round efficiency and new options. Particularly the new brake energy recuperation system featured as standard, together with optional 19-inch all-season tyres offering reduced roll resistance, give the Panamera Turbo a further improvement of fuel consumption by 0.9 litres/100 km. As a result, the 500-horsepower top model now consumes just 11.3 litres instead of formerly 12.2 litres/100 km in the New European Driving Cycle, equal to 25.0 mpg imp (formerly 23.2 mpg imp) and a reduction of CO2 emissions by 21 grams per kilometre. The Panamera S and Panamera 4S now making do with just 10.3 ltr/100 km and, respectively, 10.6 ltr/100 km (equal to 27.4 and, respectively, 26.7 mpg imp in the NEDC), are likewise up to half a litre more efficient per 100 kilometres (equal to minus 11 grams CO2/km).

This increase in efficiency results primarily from brake energy recuperation, with the battery being charged primarily during application of the brakes and, respectively, in overrun. When accelerating, on the other hand, the field current in the alternator is reduced, minimising the load acting on the combustion engine since it is now required to deliver even less energy for charging the battery, instead making this energy available for even faster acceleration. In conjunction with further improvements, this battery charging strategy on the Panamera Turbo saves no less than 0.7 litres on 100 kilometres, while newly developed, optional all-season tyres measuring 19 inches in diameter likewise serve to reduce fuel consumption by another 0.2 ltr/100 km on each model in the Panamera range. Together with the enhanced tread of the tyres, a special rubber compound serves to reduce roll resistance while at the same time increasing the mileage covered by the tyres. The Auto Start Stop function has also been optimised, now allowing the driver to set off again even faster and more comfortably after coming to a halt.

Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) now available as an option together with Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and a fully controlled rear axle differential lock enhances the driving qualities of the Panamera V8 models. PTV Plus optimises steering behaviour by intervening in the brakes on the inner rear wheel in a bend and generating an additional rotational force acting in the same direction as the steering wheel. The result is even more direct and dynamic steering when entering a bend – and at the same time PTV Plus, in conjunction with the rear axle differential, improves traction on the rear wheels when accelerating out of a bend on the road.

As a further highlight, Porsche is extending the range of paintwork colours, leather options and special equipment for the Panamera. As an example, the Gran Turismo is now also available with auxiliary heating and a three-spoke sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles on cars equipped with PDK Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe. Three-dimensional presentation of maps by the further improved, optional navigation system may now also be combined with a satellite image for even more realistic presentation and enhanced orientation. Even traffic lane information is provided in this way for complex road junctions in Europe and the USA. And last but not least, the speed limit indicator so far covering only the Autobahn, motorway and interstate now also comprises – depending on the database material – main roads and major routes leading out of town.

Porsche Wins Again and Breaks Another Record. This time at the Pikes Peak Time Attack Class With a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Breaking the Record by 38 Seconds — Ahead of Every Production-based Car Entered. Jeff Zwart, from Woody Creek, Colorado, driving the specially-prepared Luminox Watch Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car, has won and set a new record in the 2WD Time Attack class in Sunday’s 88th running of the Pikes Peak Hillclimb.

Zwart, now a seven-time Pikes Peak class winner, not only broke the 2009 class record by 38 seconds, but went faster than all but five of the entire field — three Unlimited Class and two Open Wheels cars, all with 600-plus horsepower. His 911 GT3 Cup car also beat all the production based race car entries.

Jeff gets a de-brief following a practice run.

Attacking The Mountain: here's Jeff on the paved section of the road

Attacking The Mountain: Jeff is now above tree line, in the un-paved section

Attacking The Mountain: Jeff shows some opposite lock through a corner

New Record! Victorious!

Congratulations, Jeff!

911 model: Ranked number one for customer satisfaction

Stuttgart. The iconic sports car of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, the 911, was ranked highest in this year’s AutoPacific customer satisfaction survey in the US. The premium sports car manufacturer has once again impressed its most important market. For the 14th Vehicle Satisfaction Award, a total of 42,000 car owners rated their new cars in 48 categories, which included acceleration, comfort and design, among others.

“This award is particularly important for Porsche, it shows that the new generation of the 911 has met the expectations of our customers. This is a fantastic overall result in our most important market, the US”, explains Bernhard Maier, Board Member Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG. The survey is conducted annually by the automotive consulting company and assesses nearly all vehicles on the US market. It is a reliable indicator of general satisfaction among car owners. The Porsche 911 had already impressed its owners with outstanding performance and efficiency by winning the Vehicle Satisfaction Award once before.

First place ranking once again in the J.D. Power Study on new car quality – US customers verify Porsche’s top quality

Stuttgart. In the renowned “Initial Quality Study” conducted by the US market research institute J.D. Power on the quality of new cars, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, once again reached the winner’s circle. By ranking first place in the overall ratings, the manufacturer of premium sports cars met the highest quality demands again this year in its most important export market, the USA.

After ranking first place three times from 2006 to 2008 and second place in 2009, Porsche has now reached a leading position in the J.D Power study for the fifth consecutive time. The 911 sports car was ranked first in the “Premium Sporty Car” segment and was rated the second-best car in the entire study. Its new fourth Panamera modelline came in third place in the “Large Premium Car” segment against established competitors.

“The high level of customer satisfaction at Porsche is the result of our consistent quality strategy, from development to production and sales, which we are continually improving,” said Michael Macht, President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG. “Current proof that we focus strictly on customer requirements is also our Gran Turismo Panamera. Its excellent rating performance in the J.D. Power study highlights its top class.”

In March of this year, Porsche already achieved impressive ratings in the J.D. Power Study on used car quality, ranking number one in the overall ratings. The Initial Quality Study surveys the satisfaction of more than 82,000 US customers in the first three months of purchasing their new cars. A total of 236 car models are rated according to 228 criteria that are arranged in categories like driving experience and engine performance.

Porsche Boxster, Panamera, and 911 GT3 RS Best Cars in Their Segments – Porsche Triple Winner in sport auto Readers’ Choice

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has received further public awards for a number of models in the Company’s premium sporting range: The readers of the renowned German motoring journal sport auto have picked the Porsche Boxster S, the Panamera Turbo, and the 911 GT3 RS as the “No 1 Cars” in their respective categories. Receiving these three first prizes, Porsche has once again moved right to the top in the highly competitive market of sports-oriented brands. In all, nearly 10,000 readers of sport auto participated in the competition organised by the magazine’s editors ever since 1980, with participants able to choose their favourites among more than 260 models in 25 categories.

Nearly half of the readers opted in favour of the 911 GT3 RS, precisely 49.4 per cent making this very sporting 911 their first choice in the category of Coupés up to Euro 150,000.-, thus beating the competition by far. In the category of Convertibles up to Euro 60,000.-, the Boxster S came in first place, bringing home 27.1 per cent of the votes cast by readers. Accounting for 26.5 per cent of all readers’ votes, finally, the Panamera likewise finished a strong No 1 in the category of Sedans above Euro 80,000.-. These highly successful results achieved by Porsche models are rounded off by the Carrera S ranking No 2 in the category of Convertibles up to Euro 120,000.- and the 911 Turbo S finishing third in the category of Convertibles above Euro 120,000.-.

Videos and articles courtesy of Porsche AG

]]> http://www.pmletter.com/blog/2010/06/27/porsche-sports-car-impresses-us-customers-once-again/feed/ 0 http://www.pmletter.com/blog/2010/06/27/porsche-motorsport-around-the-world-june-10/ http://www.pmletter.com/blog/2010/06/27/porsche-motorsport-around-the-world-june-10/#comments Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:52:03 +0000 Thom http://www.pmletter.com/blog/?p=4064

Newsletter 6-2010

Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides information on Porsche Motorsport around the world.

Le Mans 24 Hours: 911 GT3 RSR wins GT2, overall victory for works drivers

Works drivers Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz and Wolf Henzler won the Le Mans 24 Hour GT2 class (12/13 June) in their Felbermayr-Proton 911 GT3 RSR. In front of 240,000 spectators, the trio set a cracking pace and brought the 450 hp Porsche home to victory without any technical mishaps. With seven manufacturers and 18 race cars in the excellently supported GT2 field, no other vehicle spent less time in the pits. Porsche also celebrated the overall victory of Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas, who shared the cockpit of an Audi R15 TDI with former Porsche factory pilot Mike Rockenfeller. Timo Bernhard is the first racing driver ever to win the four long-distance classics, thus bringing home a genuine Motorsport Grand Slam: In 2003 he won the Daytona 24 Hours, from 2006 to 2009 he claimed four victories at the Nürburgring 24 hour race, he won the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring and now at Le Mans in an Audi. Bernhard has competed as a Porsche works driver since 2002.

Marcel Tiemann: Making good recovery

Marcel Tiemann’s recovery (36) is making good progress. On 17 June the race driver was moved from the university hospital Grosshardern to the rehabilitation clinic Bad Aibling (Bavaria) where his treatment is continuing according to plan. On 23 May, at the Imola round of the International GT Open, Tiemann’s Audi was shunted from the track by a competitor and crashed into a wall. Tiemann sustained serious craniocerebral injuries, a broken cervical vertebra and broken ribs. Marcel Tiemann scored four of his five overall wins at the Nürburgring 24 hour race in a Porsche 911 fielded by Manthey Racing.

ADAC GT Masters:

Mühlner Motorsport takes points lead with 100th win

After the fifth round of the ADAC GT Masters on the Hockenheimring (29 May), the Mühlner Motorsport team celebrated their 100th win. Joerg and Tim Bergmeister gunned to the finish in their 911 GT3 R 0.8 seconds ahead of a Lamborghini. The Bergmeister brothers clinched third place at race two (30 May), putting Mühlner Motorsport back in the points’ lead and Tim second in the drivers’ standings.

British GT Championship: Two podium places for Trackspeed Porsche

Richard Westbrook and David Ashburn saw the chequered flag at race five of the British GT Championship in Spa-Francorchamps (5 June) in second at the wheel of their Trackspeed 911 GT3 R, followed closely by their team colleagues Oliver Bryant and Oliver Morley. Westbrook led until handing the car to Ashburn 15 laps before the end of the 150 minute race. Ashburn currently ranks third in the drivers’ classification.

Belcar Long Distance Championship: Goossens and Soulet claim second win

It was in the first lap at round two in Spa-Francorchamps (5 June) that Marc Goossens and Maxime Soulet snatched the lead with their Prospeed Competition 911 GT3 R. After 150 minutes, the pair celebrated their second victory of the season. Over many laps, Ruben Maes and Enzo Ide were running second in the sister Prospeed Porsche, but relinquished their position to an Audi to see the flag in third.

Italian GT Championship: Gianluca Roda remains in the lead

Gianluca Roda is still the man to beat in the GT3 class after races five and six of the Italian GT Championship in Magione (6 June). Roda crossed the finish line at race five in second place with teammate Raffaele Giammaria in the Autorlando Sport 911 GT3 R, but was later announced as winner because the original victor had overtaken under yellow. In the second 48-minute race on Sunday, Roda and Giammaria claimed third overall and again won the GT3 class.

Nürburgring Long Distance Championship:

Photo finish win for Porsche

After 27 laps or 660 kilometres, victory was decided on the final metres at race four of the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship (12 June). In torrential rain, Chris Mamerow in his Mamerow Racing 911 GT3 R caught Hans-Joachim Stuck’s Audi shortly before the flag to win by just 0.24 seconds. Mamerow shared the cockpit of the Porsche with Marc Basseng.

Grand-Am:

Andy Lally remains in title race after second win of season

In their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Andy Lally and Spencer Pumpelly won the GT class of the six hour race in Watkins Glen (5 June). Driving for TRG, the pair received support from former motorbike racer Bob Doyle. After six championship rounds and two wins so far this season, Andy Lally ranks a close third in the drivers’ standings.

Carrera Cup Asia: Double win for Marchy Lee in Zhuhai – Menzel still leads

After four straight wins for reigning champion Christian Menzel, Marchy Lee (Red Bull Racing) from Hong Kong dominated at races five and six in Zhuhai (20 June). Germany’s Menzel still leads the championship ahead of Craig Baird.

Carrera Cup Deutschland:

Nicolas Armindo secures flag-to-flag win

With a flag-to-flag victory from pole position at round three of the Carrera Cup Deutschland on the EuroSpeedway Lausitz (6 June), Nicolas Armindo from France (Hermes Attempto Racing) put an end to Nick Tandy’s winning streak. Briton Tandy won the first two rounds of the series, and with second at the EuroSpeedway still leads the drivers’ classification.

Matmut Carrera Cup France: Sylvain Noël wins tyre poker in Le Mans

Porsche France invited drivers from all over Europe to contest round seven of the Carrera Cup France run as support to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Sylvain Noël from France turned heads with his performance with slicks on a damp track when he snatched the lead from Briton Tim Harvey – racing with rain tyres – shortly before the flag. Noël won, his compatriot Kevin Estre also got past Harvey to claim second, leaving the Briton with the third podium spot as the best non-French contender.

Carrera Cup Great Britain:

Tim Harvey’s top form continues

Old-hand Tim Harvey seems to be unbeatable at home. The 48-year-old champion of 2008 won the seventh race in Oulton Park near Chester (6 June) in his 911 GT3 Cup run by Red Line Racing, with his arch rival Michael Caine retiring after an accident in the first corner. Again at race eight, Caine found no way past Harvey, who went on to claim his seventh victory this season.

Carrera Cup Japan:

Yasuhiro Shimizu inches ahead

With his wins from pole position at races four and five in Fuji (12/13 June), the reigning champion and points’ leader Yasuhiro Shimizu extended his lead slightly to now sit six points ahead of Hideto Yasuoka. His young rival, who receives support from Porsche as a motorsport talent, remains within striking distance after securing two second places. Shimizu has four wins to his credit, Yasuoka one.

Carrera Cup Scandinavia:

Robin Rudholm leads after thriller in Gothenburg

At race nine on the city circuit in the harbour of Gothenburg, Fredrik Larsson snatched back the lead from Robin Rudholm after winning the hefty duel over the entire race distance. Rudholm saw the flag in second, 0.3 seconds behind the winner. At race ten (both races 5 June), however, Rudholm returned to top the tables after Larsson pulled out before the start with a broken drive shaft.

Porsche’s GT3 R Hybrid showed it’s potential at Nurburgring during the recent 24 hour event held there. What we find fascinating is the simple this particular racing program is just getting started, and they’re already doing this well with it. Here at PML we think Porsche’s approach to Hybrid Technology proves it’s quite possible to build exciting products and be “green” at the same time.

Here’s a video of the GT3 R Hybrid at the “Ring. Enjoy!

Porsche’s Stellar Product Line Contributes To VW Group’s Bottom Line

Stuttgart. Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Stuttgart, is able to report that its holdings’ operations continued to develop favorably throughout the first nine months of fiscal 2009/10, which ends on 31 July 2010. In this period, Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH group, in which Porsche SE holds a 50.1 percent share and which is primarily made up of Porsche AG and its subsidiaries, achieved an operating result of 0.6 billion euro. The group continues to report a two-digit return on sales. Revenue increased by 11.8 percent in relation to the comparative period of the prior year to 5.2 billion euro. The group sold 53,605 vehicles, comparable with the number sold in the same period of the prior year in which 53,635 vehicles were sold. The steep rise in revenue while unit sales remained almost constant is due in part to the new Panamera model series, for which the variants with the highest-performing engines were launched on the market as a first step. The Volkswagen group, in which Porsche SE holds a 32.2 percent share following a capital increase by Volkswagen AG and unchanged 50.7 percent of the ordinary shares, was included in Porsche SE’s interim report with figures for the period from 1 July 2009 to 31 March 2010. Unit sales for this period came to 5,004,745 vehicles. With revenue of 82.6 billion euro, the operating result amounted to 1.5 billion euro.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2009/10, the Porsche SE group reports a loss after tax of 0.7 billion euro, a better figure than expected. This result also includes all non-recurring effects brought about by the structural changes, as well as the effect of the capital increase at Volkswagen AG in which Porsche SE did not participate.

A profit of 4.2 billion euro was generated in the same period in the prior year. While the result in the prior year was above all influenced by positive effects from cash settled options relating to Volkswagen AG’s shares, the result for the reporting period has been strongly affected by the structural changes already reported in the six-month report. These stem mainly from the deconsolidation of the Volkswagen group and the Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH group, as well as the inclusion of both groups in the consolidated financial statements of Porsche SE using the equity method.

By issuing approximately 65 million new preference shares, Volkswagen AG increased its share capital by a notional 166.2 million euro, generating total net issue proceeds of approximately 4.1 billion euro in March and April. As Porsche SE did not participate in the capital increase, its share of Volkswagen AG’s total capital was diluted from 37.4 percent to 32.2 percent. Porsche SE’s 50.7 percent share in Volkswagen AG’s ordinary shares remained unchanged. The capital increase gave rise to a total net non-cash effect of around minus 1.4 billion euro for the Porsche SE group in the third quarter of fiscal 2009/10.

The net liquidity of the Porsche SE group has improved dramatically since 31 July 2009. It amounted to minus 6.0 billion euro as of 30 April 2010. The positive development is primarily attributable to the cash received in connection with Volkswagen AG’s investment in Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH amounting to 3.9 billion euro that was mainly used to redeem liabilities to banks. The deconsolidation of the Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH group was another factor.

Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH group performs well despite difficult conditions

A look at the individual model series of the Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH group, i.e. Porsche AG and its subsidiaries, reveals a high level of interest in the new Panamera, which sold 13,906 units despite the fact that the Gran Turismo was not launched until September 2009. In some regions the market launch was not until December 2009. The best selling model series remained the Cayenne with 18,932 vehicles sold. This corresponds to a reduction of 23.3 percent, which can be attributed to the fact that the current generation of this model is approaching the end of its lifecycle. Its successor will be launched on markets worldwide in the next few months. In the period from 1 August 2009 to 30 April 2010, the 911 achieved sales of 13,137 units, a 35.1 percent reduction on the prior year reflecting the challenging economic environment. Unit sales of vehicles from the Boxster model series, including the Cayman models, dropped 12.2 percent to 7,630 vehicles.

An examination of the individual regions reveals that in Europe, Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH group’s unit sales fell 5.1 percent to 18,607 units. In North America, the 15,592 vehicles sold constituted a fall of as much as 17.8 percent, reflecting the ongoing challenging economic conditions in one of Porsche’s key markets. In other regions of the world, Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH group saw strong growth. At 19,406 units, sales were up 28.9 percent on the same period in the prior year. This development is mainly attributable to the new markets and China in particular. Porsche continues to assume that unit sales for the full fiscal year 2009/10 will exceed the prior-year figure of 75,238 vehicles.

A total of 60,043 vehicles were produced in the reporting period, up 0.7 percent on the same period in the prior year. A total of 19,841 units of the Cayenne series rolled off the line in Leipzig. Production of the new Panamera came to 16,970 vehicles. The number of vehicles of the 911 series produced by the Zuffenhausen plant fell to 14,344 units. Production of the Boxster (including the Cayman models) series fell to 8,888 units.

Volkswagen group enjoys high level of demand

In the reporting period between July 2009 and March 2010, the Volkswagen passenger car brand sold 2,753,692 vehicles. Above-average demand was seen for the Fox, Polo, Scirocco, Golf and Golf Plus models, as well as for the versions of the Jetta and the Passat available in China. Unit sales of the Audi brand in the period stood at 932,194. In addition to the Audi A3 Cabrio, Audi A3 Sportback and Audi Q5, encouraging sales figures were also seen for the new Audi A5 Sportback, the new Audi A5 Cabriolet and the new Audi A4 allroad quattro. The Škoda brand sold 431,624 vehicles. The Octavia and Superb models saw increased demand. The new Škoda Yeti was well received by the market. Sales of the SEAT brand in the reporting period came to 252,572 units. Unit sales of the Bentley brand in the reporting period came to 3,493 vehicles. The Chinese joint venture boosted unit sales by 1,188,604 vehicles. Volkswagen commercial vehicles sold 213,281 units between July 2009 and March 2010. Scania sold a total of 34,723 vehicles.

In the reporting period, the Volkswagen group sold 2,619,834 vehicles in the Europe / other markets region. In North America, unit sales amounted to 363,983 vehicles. Unit sales in South America in the reporting period came to 643,018 vehicles, a figure positively impacted by the Brazilian government’s support package, among other things. Including the joint ventures in China, the Volkswagen group sold 1,377,910 vehicles on the passenger car markets in the Asia Pacific region in the first nine months of the 2009/10 fiscal year. In this region in particular, demand for the group’s models remained consistently high.

In the first nine months of the 2009/10 fiscal year, the Volkswagen group produced 4,966,060 vehicles.

The Volkswagen group’s presence in all key regions around the world, its multi-brand strategy and technological expertise and, as a result, the most up-to-date, most environmentally friendly and broadest vehicle range are key advantages. The nine brands of the Volkswagen group will present a large number of new models in 2010, continuously expanding the group’s position on the world’s markets in the process. The Volkswagen group therefore expects the number of vehicles delivered to customers in 2010 to exceed the 2009 level.

Outlook

In the first nine months of the 2009/10 fiscal year, the results of Porsche SE were strongly impacted by the aforementioned structural changes and the effect of not participating in the capital increase at Volkswagen AG. Taking into account the planning of Porsche SE and the anticipated result from investments in Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH and Volkswagen AG, that are accounted for at equity, Porsche SE anticipates a negative overall result at the end of the fiscal year of under one billion euro – and therefore an improvement on forecasts made at the time the six-month report was published.

Porsche SE sees itself as being on the right track with regard to the transaction steps foreseen by the basic agreement. A capital increase at Porsche SE is scheduled for the first half of 2011. Plans are to reach the final stage in creating an integrated automotive group, namely the merger between Porsche SE and Volkswagen AG, following a capital increase.

The combination of Volkswagen and Porsche in a group with ten strong brands has compelling strategic, industrial and financial logic. The integrated group is expected to be able to realize considerable additional growth potential in future.
The entire interim report by Porsche Automobil Holding SE on the first nine months of fiscal 2009/10 can be downloaded from http://www.porsche-se.com/interimreport.

Article Courtesy of Porsche SE

The “2nd (or is it the 3rd?) Generation” Cayenne has evolved into a stronger, faster, and more efficient SUV platform. Here at PML we are very impressed with the entire Cayenne Program. Here are a couple of entertaining and informative videos, along with the latest Cayenne news from Porsche.

Enjoy.

Additional Drive Variants Entering the Market

Stuttgart. Starting deliveries of the two six-cylinder models Cayenne and Cayenne Diesel, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is rounding off the market launch of the Company’s new generation of SUVs. Both models combine features typical of the Cayenne such as highly comfortable sportiness and superior offroad driving qualities with truly outstanding efficiency on average fuel consumption of less than 10 litres/100 kilometres or better than 28.3 mpg imp. (approximately 23.5 mpg US )

Equipped with Tiptronic S, the new Cayenne offers average fuel consumption in the New European Driving Cycle of just 9.9 ltr/100 km, equal to 28.5 mpg imp, about 20 per cent better than on the former model. On the Cayenne Diesel fuel consumption is also down by 20 per cent from 9.3 to 7.4 ltr/100 km, that is an improvement from 30.4 to 38.2 mpg imp. (This amounts to approzimately 31.8 mpg US gallon, NOTE: The Cayenne diesel is NOT available in the US)

A further important point is that the diesel, reducing CO2 emissions to 195 g/km, remains below the important limit of 200 grams CO2 per kilometre. And last but not least, both models comply in full with the Euro 5 emission standard.

The significant reduction of fuel consumption throughout the entire Cayenne model range comes, among other things, from the introduction of the new Tiptronic S eight-speed automatic transmission with Auto Start Stop and an extra-wide spread of gear ratios. Other factors are thermal management and recuperation of the on-board network as well as, not least, a significant reduction of weight thanks to intelligent lightweight engineering. These improvements also serve to provide even greater agility, performance and driving dynamics and, as a result, even greater driving pleasure.

The Cayenne is powered by a 300 hp (220 kW) 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine combined in standard trim with a six-speed manual gearbox. This accelerates the Cayenne from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds (Tiptronic S: 7.8 seconds) and provides a top speed of 230 km/h or 143 mph.

The new Cayenne offers even greater driving pleasure than before both offroad and onroad, combined with even greater everyday driving value, comfort, and elegance. To give driver and passengers even more space within the interior, together with greater variability, wheelbase is up over the former models by 40 millimetres or 1.6”. The overall increase in length, on the other hand, is 48 millimetres or 1.9”. The rear seat bench adjusts to-and-fro by 160 millimetres or 6.3”, with the backrest angle adjusting on request to three different positions.

Further features included in the wide range of standard equipment on the six-cylinder Cayenne now comprise two-zone automatic air conditioning, cruise control, a Headlight Assistant, and the CDR-31 audio system operated from a touchscreen.

Both the Cayenne and the Cayenne Diesel now also come as standard on 18-inch wheels. New driver assistance systems such as a Lane Change Assistant and Adaptive Cruise Control are available as an option, just like the PDLS Porsche Dynamic Light System for variable management of the headlights in accordance with current requirements as well as the Burmester High-End Surround Sound System with 16 channels and 1,000 Watt maximum output.

Built to national specifications, the Cayenne sells in Germany at a price of Euro 55,431.– including 19 per cent value-added tax, (approximately $68,650.00 USD).  the Cayenne Diesel comes at a price of Euro 59,596.–, again with VAT.

The Diesel is NOT available to US customers: The U.S. Diesel Laws are antiquated and seriously need revision to reflect today’s technology  - Write your congressman.

Article, photos, and video courtesy of Porsche