Entry Level Porsche axed, Pajun delayed - CEO Mueller

[Human]

​

Contrary to recent rumors, a report has surfaced that suggests the Sub-Panamera Pajun will be delayed and there will be no sub-Boxster at all.​

The news stems from a German newspaper who recently had the opportunity to interview Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller. When talking about an entry level model that would be priced cheaper than the Boxster, he said "We would do no good to the brand if we were to lose traditional Porsche customers."​

Furthermore, he stated that it would be at least five or six years before plans would begin on a new sedan model that would sit below the Panamera (pictured). It contradicts an earlier report that stated the sub-Panamera model that is internally known as the Pajun will arrive in 2017.​

As we previously published here on WCF, the Pajun would initially be launched in 2017 as a sedan before it spawns a Shooting Brake variant. You can read the full report by clicking here.​

Alternatively, the news of the delayed and axed models could also be a clever tactic by Porsche bosses to hide the brand's real intentions over the coming years.​

One new model that we can definitely confirm is coming is the sub-Cayenne Macan that was recently confirmed by Porsche and was caught testing barely camouflaged by spy photographers.​

​

​

​

Source:insideline​

​

Read more: http://www.worldcarfans.com/112051444319/entry-level-porsche-axed-pajun-delayed---ceo-mueller#ixzz1us1rJR4j​

 

[K-A]

Yes, good news. Don't whore the Porsche brand for everything it's worth. Tight and concise, expensive lineup, please.

 

[Guibo]

Boo!

"We would do no good to the brand if we were to lose traditional Porsche customers."​

​

​

I'm wondering if this thought crossed their minds when they contemplated building the Boxster/Cayman. Then the Cayenne. Then the Panamera. Then the Macan.​

As for fears of whoring out the brand, those days are long gone.​

http://shop3.porsche.com/france/specials/cayennecoll/wap672xxx0c/#​

​

 

[Centurion]

A small roadster wouldn't generate much boost in revenue for Porsche. They would be better off slicing some bacon of the entry level Boxster price.

 

[Human]

A small roadster wouldn't generate much boost in revenue for Porsche. They would be better off slicing some bacon of the entry level Boxster price.

Now that makes perfect sense, if Mueller reads this you may be offered a job @ Porsche Centurion

Speaking of which, let's not kid ourselves the new Boxster is most desirable. I want one for sure!

 

[as7920]

I really want to get into the Porsche brand but everything with 4 seats is either out of budget or an SUV.

 

[mod9]

I am glad they axed it!! Porsche is no Toyota, as it is, they are already going 'mainstream'.

 

[Centurion]

Now that makes perfect sense, if Mueller reads this you may be offered a job @ Porsche Centurion

Speaking of which, let's not kid ourselves the new Boxster is most desirable. I want one for sure!

Haha thanks. But in all honesty the market for small under powered roadsters is tiny. It's not a gold mine. Such model would just eat up precious space on the production line.

 

[Human]

Haha thanks. But in all honesty the market for small under powered roadsters is tiny. It's not a gold mine. Such model would just eat up precious space on the production line.

Yet, we'll still have it won't we

 

[330CIZHP]

Porsche can’t seem to make up its mind on the entry-level sports car it proposed last year, as German newspaper Stuttgarter Zeitung reports Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller is now not so keen on the idea of having a sub-Boxster sports car in the brand’s portfolio. The report suggests Porsche has dropped plans for the entry-level model, which would have been a tribute to the 550 Spyder of the 1950s, slotting just beneath the Boxster.
“We would do no good to the brand if we were to lose traditional Porsche customers,” Mueller said to Stuttgarter Zeitung in regards to a new, lower-priced modelpotentially alienating Porsche fans and diluting the brand.


Mueller said last year that Porsche was considering a successor to the Porsche 550 Spyder, which could launch by 2014. Since then, the executive backed down, claiming Porsche is concerned that such a car might somehow water down the company’s name. In spite of these worries, the German automaker plans to add an entry-level crossover to its lineup, the Volkswagen-Tiguan-based Macan (formerly known as the Cajun).
Recently, we’ve heard Porsche wasn’t killing the baby Boxster off completely, but rather delaying its introduction until a new generation of Porsche buyers comes of age – reportedly not before 2017. That would give Porsche time to concentrate on developing its 918 Spyder halo car and next-gen Panamera.
Is Porsche just trying to throw us off the scent of its sub-Boxster model’s development? Has the car merely been delayed a few years or is the dream of an entry-level Porsche sports car truly over? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

http://wot.motortrend.com/the-end-porsche-ceo-suggests-baby-boxster-is-a-no-go-205319.html#ixzz1uwrqOQiP

 

[Human]

I think we're on the same page

Thread:
Entry Level Porsche axed, Pajun delayed - CEO Mueller


http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...porsche-axed-pajun-delayed-ceo-mueller.44422/

Please merge threads.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

This is probaly VAG at work trying to protect Audi and keep Porsche primarily as a premium sports car offering. There's no point in having them move into market segments that Audi comfortably addresses.

It certainly can't be a tactic to throw competitors off the scent, because MB and BMW would certainly know whats going on through the parts supply chain which is largely shared amongst all the Germans.

 

[chonkoa]

A small roadster wouldn't generate much boost in revenue for Porsche. They would be better off slicing some bacon of the entry level Boxster price.

I think it may have the opposite effect, it will increase revenue albeit with low margins.

 

[Centurion]

I think it may have the opposite effect, it will increase revenue albeit with low margins.

It would only increase revenue if it's priced like a bargain i.e MX5 or GT86 and in that price spectrum Porsche wouldn't offer enough "bang for the buck" for non car enthusiasts to be willing to pay a substancial premium for a Porsched badged low-end roadster.

 

[Guibo]

I could see it working both ways for Porsche, when compared to the Japanese cars in that segment:
1) It would be almost unfathomable in this day for Porsche to put its name on a car that was blatantly cheap or shoddily made. People who complain about the MX5/GT86 being too ugly/cheap/Japanese would have a European car with a prestigious nameplate likely built with high perceived quality.
2) For the sports car enthusiast, Porsche would offer something rather unique in this area, and one that has a theoretical leg up in terms of dynamics against the Japanese sports cars: a mid-engined layout.

 

[Rainer271]

No Porsche Pajun Until 2019… at Least

A lot of Porsche-related rumors are being reported right now, including ones about a Cayenne coupe and a new baby sportscar called the 718. However, when Stuttgart officials actually do make a statement, they tend to say that development funding is rather tight after the Macan. We're thus inclined to believe the latest report from British media, clearly stating one fact: no Pajun baby sedan will be made until at least 2019.

The Pajun sedan was supposed to come out around 2017 or 2018, but has been pushed back because Porsche has a number of other projects on the table. Among other things, this includes the all-new Panamera, already under development, and potentially a whole range of hybrid sportscars.

The yet unapporved Pajun project will thus not reach its production state until 2019. According to CAR Magazine, the decision was made by Porsche's parent company Volkswagen Group, who needs Stuttgart cavalry to back up a yet unknown market attack.

This falls in line with other recent reports. In an interview for Autocar magazine, Porsche CEO Matthias Muller said the Pajun is "a difficult decision, because Porsche has just taken a huge step getting into the Macan market — not just developing the car but doubling the factory capacity, including the body shop and paint shop. It has been a huge effort for the whole company."
Since the Pajun is unlikely to reach production for another five years, talking about its development is a bit premature. However, CAR states powertrain development should primarily focus on V6 units.

Some believe that people will buy just about anything with a Porsche badge, even an Audi Q5 with a different body. However, after we drove the Macan, we found it was everything the sportscar Porsche promised it would be. If they say they need another 5 years, all those Chinese customers will just have to wait.

Porsche's sales have gone up 8% to 87,000 cars in the first half of 2014. of that total, the Panamera registered 13,500 orders in the same period, a massive 28% increase. Which makes us wonder: just how important are these secret projects if a mass-market car like the Pajun is being pushed back?

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/no-porsche-pajun-until-2019-at-least-83867.html

 

[Deleted member 1071]

This bit of news has left me surprised.

Of course, in corporations as large as the VW-Group, an undoubtedly large degree of "politicization" will be involved in the product-planning process. Has the Audi faction shown resistance towards the Pajun, fearing that it may steal the thunder from its' upcoming higher end C8 A6/A7 (and S and RS derivatives) ? Is a smaller, decidedly sporting sub-Conti/Flying Spur MSB-based Bentley line in the cards ? Or is it that the upcoming group MSS sportscar matrix (covering everything from the future Cayman through the next 911, Porsches' 458 Italia competitor, future Lambos, etc...) is currently binding so many resources that the Pajun simply must be put on hold ?

Whatever the case may be...I find it a bit of a pity. I was looking very forward to a timely presentation of the Pajun. Oh well...there's always the Panny II (by summer 2016, hopefully).

 

[Rainer271]

Porsche 718 not happening, Boxster to remain entry-level model
Not the right time
Porsche Cars North America CEO Detlev von Platen has announced an entry-level model is not being developed.

Lately there have been rumors about a new base model from Porsche commercialized with the "718" moniker but now the company has announced there won't be a sub-Boxster model. After many discussions, Porsche has decided it's not the right time to create a smaller and cheaper alternative to the Boxster/Cayman duo and added the company's entry-level offering is actually represented by the pre-owned program.

von Platen refused to talk about the prospects of a "Ferrari fighter", although reports have been circulating about a 600 bhp flat-eight quad turbo Porsche 988 to compete with the 458 Italia. In addition, he didn't say anything about a smaller Panamera which has been reportedly delayed until 2019.

He did discuss about the Macan which is proving to be more successful than Porsche estimated as now there's a six month waiting list. The average transaction for a Macan S is about $65,000 while the Macan Turbo is sold at an average price tag of $83,000 which means customers are willing to pay 12-14 percent more for optional equipment.

Source: autonews.com