Laguna Seca IMSA absence

[Hal]

I was very disappointed that the Porsche tent was absent in the Porsche Corral at this recent Laguna Seca IMSA race. One of the most profitable car companies in the world can afford to be there. Porsche took the wins in Prototype and GTD Pro.
The Corvette tent was there. The truth is, Chevrolet takes better care of its Corvette owners and fans than Porsche does. Rather than being left out in the sun, we walked over and joined the Corvette group. We were welcomed. Lunch, snacks, and beverages were provided both days. Where was Porsche? They used to be there every year. Do I need to go buy a Corvette?

[blueline]

That's not a good look for Porsche. Where were you Porsche and PCNA?

[Stormy_Monday]

maybe they were too busy selling cars as fashion accessories...

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en_US/2024 ... 35982.html

[blueline]

maybe they were too busy selling cars as fashion accessories...

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en_US/2024 ... 35982.html

There has been a noticeable increase in pomp and ceremony geared mostly towards to the very top. As I see it, the direction of Porsche's marketing and hype, not to mention the company's product lines, has taken a turn from its traditional, primary role as a company geared towards true auto enthusiasts of all types. Time to clean house in the top echelons?

[Maruscmn]

maybe they were too busy selling cars as fashion accessories...

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en_US/2024 ... 35982.html

I must not be the target demographic because I have zero interest in attending an event like this. Been a member of Bmwcca and pca but neither hold a candle to the welcoming I received in the Mustang club down in Tampa.

Sad to hear about leguna.

[Hal]

I fear that Porsche has adopted the Ferrari "let them eat cake" business model. Endless, overpriced, special editions. Brand name merchandising on everything but diapers. You have to know somebody who knows somebody to even be able to buy a new sports car at an outrageous mark-up.
I've been in PCA since 1974. My first Porsche was a 1967 911. Fourteen cars later, I'm ready to change brands.

Sidebar: While I was at Laguna Seca, I got to speak directly with the head C8 Corvette engineer and offer my input on some things that I felt should be tweaked and he listened with understanding. (I spend a week and 800 miles in a C8) I can't imagine Porsche caring about my input.

[blueline]

I'm loyal to Porsche and the cars they make - they are marvelously designed, engineered and built automobiles but the "let them eat cake" business model you mentioned does seem to fit the company to a degree at the moment. Current CEO Oliver Blume said as much last year at an annual press conference if you read between the lines.

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2023/co ... 31485.html

Of course, besides the company, its dealers, restrictive allocations, ADMs, etc., there are buyers who seem willing to pay any amount for whatever it is they desire. The offerings and sales at Bring-A- Trailer and other similar sites are often eye openers. Last month's Stuttgart Market Letter by David Whitlock wrote this: "The other nice surprise from March was a number of 2023 911 Sport Classics coming to market, as prior to this month, the highly sought after Porsche had been fairly quiet on the auction circuit. The first car to sell was a Gentian Blue example with 52 miles that brought $472,500 followed by a launch-spec car at $445,000. The top-selling Sport Classic, though, was a Paint to Sample Underberg Green car with 10 miles hammering for $478,000."

Seemingly endless legions of ultra- wealthy buyers worldwide are clamoring for high end Porsches. It's part of what's distorting the market and it's obvious that Porsche is going after those buyers - not what I like but not unexpected in a frenzy. Unfortunately, many of Porsche's long-time loyal customers are being left behind.

For those of us in U.S. and Canada it doesn't help that North America is no longer at the top of the Porsche world due to the growth of the worldwide market. China is now Porsche's largest market.

But, things like this are always changing and this will be no different. There are clouds on the horizon from many directions and some auto manufacturers could be suffering and changing directions sooner than later. Porsche is not completely immune to that possibility.

The Financial Times “Future of the Car” Summit a few days ago in London had many CEOs, board members, brand honchos, etc. of auto manufacturers (including VW Group) there making presentations. There were revelations outlined in the article, at least for me.

https://ssoreport.com/ft-future-of-the-car-2024

[Maruscmn]

“ All of this might explain why tiny Ferrari, which is effectively immune from this mess, today has a market value well above, Ford, GM, Stellantis, and on par with Volkwagen despite producing less than 0.01% the number of cars.”

And “ . If you are sitting on the VW Brand Management Board, you are looking potentially at an “extinction” event”

Great article and sobering to say the least.

[xsy56yc+]

Why is it so hard to get an allocation to buy a new Porsche?

[blueline]

“ All of this might explain why tiny Ferrari, which is effectively immune from this mess, today has a market value well above, Ford, GM, Stellantis, and on par with Volkwagen despite producing less than 0.01% the number of cars.”

And “ . If you are sitting on the VW Brand Management Board, you are looking potentially at an “extinction” event”

Great article and sobering to say the least.

Indeed!