Porsche has had to boost production of the 911 due to growing demand. The company says the 911 will help it beat last year’s sales, supported by the Cayenne when it is launched later this year.
Porsche has had to boost production of the 911 due to growing demand. The company says the 911 will help it beat last year’s sales, supported by the Cayenne when it is launched later this year.
Porsche has added extra shifts to its factory near Stuttgart to build more 911 models. But demand for the cheaper Boxster has dropped in the United States.
Porsche recorded a net income of R2,5 billion for 2001, from sales of R41 billion. Chief executive Wendelin Wiedeking says profits will be higher when the company’s fiscal year ends on July 31. "We will beat the 2001 total," he confirms.
"We are more that satisfied with the result that’s taking shape," says Wiedeking. "Whatever happens, we will achieve our aim of at least matching last year’s sales and pre-tax earnings. And when I say ‘At least’, I mean ‘At least’."
Sales of the Boxster have dropped by about 17 per cent overall up to May this year, falling a whopping 31 per cent in the United States. Porsche will be bringing out a revamped version of the Boxster in August in a bid to stop declining sales.
"Customers have been waiting for the new model to come out and that has cost us sales," Wiedeking says.
Wiedeking also reports a high level of interest in the new Cayenne sport-utility vehicle, which will be introduced later this year.
The Cayenne Turbo will be powered by a Porsche-designed 4,5-litre, twin turbocharged V8 engine with 335 kW of power. The Cayenne S has a 4,5-litre, V8 engine, which is rated at 253 kW. The Cayenne Turbo accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,6 seconds, while the Cayenne can do it in 7,2 seconds.
According to the , about 100 000 people have expressed interest. Orders will be taken once the price has been set. Porsche plans to build about 25 000 Cayenne models a year.
Visit CARtoday.com on Friday for a preview of the facelifted Boxster.
