Carpokes Porsche Forum

Interesting. It would make sense, especially for Porsche's SUVs which are by far Porsche's sales volume leaders (currently 60% of unit sales, expected to increase to 70%), at least insofar as the Cayenne is concerned. The jury is out on the decision to go to all-EV Macans. Maybe Porsche reverts from their misguided path and decides to bring back an ICE or Hybrid version of the Macan, built here in the U.S.

this would be relatively simple for the VW SUV and Cayenne since they are built in the same plant. Would help VW with their expensive labor issues as well as, bureaucratic issues with the EU and Germany.

The sports cars and gt cars need to stay German.

Mojonito wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 3:41 pm The sports cars and gt cars need to stay German.

Completely agree. 100%.

Mojonito wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 3:41 pm The sports cars and gt cars need to stay German.

My '98 Boxster was built in ...
Finland.
I did not find it inferior.

Steve_Saunders wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2025 5:21 pm

Mojonito wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 3:41 pm The sports cars and gt cars need to stay German.

My '98 Boxster was built in ...
Finland.
I did not find it inferior.

So too was my '06 Boxster S.

The Finns build outstanding goods, maybe better than the Germans these days. Pretty much anything out of Finland is going to be among the best.

I think Mojonito and I were thinking more of the GT/GTS cars as well as 911s. The thoughts were also in reference to what might be built by Porsche in the U.S.

For reference, the GT4 and the Cayman GTS are built in Zuffenhausen.

Another plus to both the Finns and the German-built Caymans is that each specializes in a sub-model. Not mixing a lot of different drive-trains in the same facility can be beneficial.

And, from another country building Porsches, there is the Cayenne. We've had three - all excellent vehicles. The first (2014 Turbo) was built in Leipzig but the other two later model Cayennes came from Bratislava, Slovakia. No differences from a build quality standpoint.

When I look at the videos of different Porsche assembly lines, what I notice (based on my manufacturing experience and implementing Toyota manufacturing methods) is that it's all modular. The chassis/frame assembly and paint is all modular/automated and could be replicated with little complications. Engine assembly seems to be a single person per engine. The rest is pretty much standard auto manufacturing. I think it would be easier to move the Cayenne/Macan and maybe Taycan assembly since the "mystique" of not being made in Germany by guest workers is not a thing. If Porsche/VW are serious about moving, there needs to a company sized group at the site planning now. Interesting stuff.

However, the investment will not be trivial and the company is already in a world of declining margins given the loss of China. I expect they will do it assuming the tariffs will happen but the price of cars in general will rise in my view. Tariffs tend to be highly inflationary. Going to be interesting.