The Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid - just one of 8 new Porsches by 2018
Porsche boss Matthias Mueller has revealed that Porsche intends launching a new model every year up to 2018 and doubling sales to 200,000.
We thought Porsche had come a long way in the last few years. A long way away from its roots, many would say, but a long way, nonetheless.
From a car maker with just one core model in its range – the Porsche 911 – and models that come and go (924, 944, 928), Porsche now has not only the 911 but also the Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne and Panamera. And, according to Porsche boss Matthias Mueller, that range will have eight new models added to it by 2018.
Not only will Porsche deliver a new model every year between now and 2018, it will double its sales from just under 100,000 a year to 200,000. Apparently it will do that and not impact on the perception of the Porsche brand.
First of the new Porsches will be the 2012 Porsche 911, which Mueller wants to see selling at a rate of 30,000 a year – 50% more than the current 997. He also wants the now 22 derivatives of the 911 become the benchmark for all models in the Porsche range. Which means you won’t have a prayer of coming out of the Porsche dealers with the car you went in to buy.
Following on from the 2012 Porsche 911 will be entry-level models of the Boxster and Cayman. In the mix, when the Panamera gets a facelift in 2013, are a two door version and a LWB Porsche Panamera – as we reported last week – and of course the baby Cayenne, the Porsche Cajun.
Mueller would also like to see a modern Porsche 550 – a small mid-engine sports car – which we guess will be the Porsche BlueSport. And Mueller says he can’t think of a better name for it than the Porsche 550. Interesting.
We already know that the Porsche 918 will launch in the not too distant future, but Mueller says that Porsche are looking at the viability of a car that sits above the GT2 RS and below the 918. A Porsche 929.
All of which must give Porsche anoraks apoplexy. But if Porsche can keep churning out new models that sell as well as the Cayenne and Panamera it will mean the core of Porsche will also flourish.
And Porsche will remain the most profitable car maker on the planet.
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