Porsche Aiming for Chinese Growth and More Hybrids, Including 911

PorschePorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
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has been growing gradually since the introduction of the CayennePorsche Cayenne Gen.2Germany, 2010 > 201727 versions
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several years ago, but it seems that the purchase by VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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has sped up growth even further, especially in Chinese sales. In addition to working on a new four-cylinder boxer engine, it plans to add more hybrids to its lineup, including in the 911Porsche 911 Gen.6 [991 Series]Germany, 2011 > present110 versions
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. The company believes that it will have global deliveries of 200,000 cars a year by 2015, three years ahead of schedule.

Porsche believes that the upcoming MacanPorsche MacanGermany, 2013 > present1 photo
crossover will be a big hit in China when it is introduced in the second half of 2014. The prediction comes from China being the biggest market for Cayennes in the world, despite the trucks having a 25% import duty added to the sale price. A base Cayenne starts at about $151,000 in China.

"The epicenter of the world has for many reasons moved from the U.S., across Europe and now is sitting in Asia, and China is obviously the powerhouse of Asia. We're extremely optimistic about the success of Macan,” said Deesch Papke, Porsche China CEO.

While it is expanding in China, Porsche is continuing to develop new powertrains. According to Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche’s head of research and development, a hybrid 911 will be introduced in the next generation car in about 2018.

“The flywheel in our 911 GT3 R HybridPorsche 911 GT3 R HybridGermany, 2010 > present4 photos
race car is very much a race car solution – we need something different for a road car. In my opinion if you do a hybrid for the road it has to be able to drive on pure electric power.

“The biggest enemy of hybrids is weight, so 20km to 25km for a sports car is enough [for range]. There is no need for 50km, it will add too much weight,” said Hatz.

Source: Automotive News Europe and Auto Express