Porsche Makes Roughly $20,000 in Profit on Each Car Sold

A study by the CAR Center at Duisburg-Essen University shows that PorschePorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
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was the most profitable automaker in the world in 2012 with an average of a €17,056 ($22,160) for each car sold before taxes or interest.

"Porsche's price policy has turned out to be very viable on global markets," said Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, the head of the CAR Institute.

Porche's strong profitability is not a total surprise. It increased operating profit by 19.3% last year, and sales were up 22.3%.

"With our international position and a strict cost management we remain cautiously optimistic for the current year," said Lutz Meschke, Porsche CFO.

The study also found that the key to profitability is offering cars worldwide. Automakers who only sold cars in Europe were not as profitable. However, General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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Europe and FordFordUnited States of America, 1903 > present92 models
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, which are both global companies, had the lowest profitability in 2012. GM Europe lost an average of €834 ($1,088) on each car, and Ford lost an average of €967 ($1,267) on each car in 2012.

Source: Deutsche Welle