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One of the few automakers that are not manufacturing in China yet is Porsche. This could change. Porsche will decide this year whether they will build the new Cajun in China, Porsche CEO Matthias Müller told Focus Magazine.
The small SUV could share the same factory with its platform mate, the Audi Q5. This would mean FAW Changchun. Müller is not afraid that Porsche’s image could get marred: “The important part is that ‘Engineered by Porsche’ is on the car.”
Another possible option for a Cajun production could be “North America” – except that there is no Q5 production anywhere in NA.
17 Comments on “Porsche Made In China?...”
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Real men make cars in China.
Well, I guess the German middle class should be destroyed like in the US.
Do these business owners understand the countries need a robust manufacturing base with workers making enough money to raise their families if they intend to stay as a viable country in the long term.
Henry Ford’s idea was to pay his worker’s enough so they could afford to buy more Ford products. Porsche has a similar idea; increase profits so much so that the stockbrokers who invest in the company can afford to buy more Porsche products.
@ forraymond & sitting@home: +1 for both your comments.
Well, so far Chinese made cars are for the Chinese market only. Have you ever seen a Chinese-made cars from non-Chinese brand, be it European, Japanese, American or whatever in your market? Even low-end brands have been brave enough to do that, even though they have a factory in China, even one that produces that exact same model. And that’s for good reason too.
That Porsche CEO is living in another planet if he says Porsche image would not have been marred. Even low buck automakers like Hyundai’s brand image would be marred if they imported Chinese made cars to the U.S.! Never mind Porsche. Maybe someday (witness Korea and even Japan!), but right now Made in China have generally poor reputation.
“Engineered by Porsche” is enough to sell cars, eh? Wow. “Engineered by Lotus” managed to sell tons of Isuzus. Or not. Slap an “Engineered by Porsche” badge on a Great Wall or Wuling or something and see if it’ll sell in the U.S. or elsewhere.
No need to worry. So far Chinese made cars for foreign brand are sold in China only, or a few select countries. We haven’t seen any brand brave enough to bring models built in their Chinese factory to the U.S. Made in China label hasn’t made enough reputations yet for big, expensive, and largely conservative market like cars. Maybe someday.
Though that Porsche CEO is living on another planet (or maybe in the future) if he thinks Porsche image won’t be hurt. Heck, even low buck automakers like Hyundai haven’t been brave enough to bring a model built in their China factory to the U.S., and for good reason.
Another question is:
Once word gets out that you have cut your labor rate in manufacturing by better than half, how in the world could anyone ask as much money for any premium car with a straight face?
Look at it this way, the crap Harbor Freight sells is just that, but it is a damn sight cheaper in every regard than the item they have knocked off.
Maybe the long term plan is a sub $25K Porsche Cayenne or Cajun?
Raymond is correct as well. Who do they plan to sell these (for all intents and purposes) toys to when the middle class is completely sacked?
Who do they plan to sell these toys to when the middle class is completely sacked?
Why, the Chinese of course.
I doubt Porsche cares much whether their cars are being bought in the US or Asia, as long as their being bought.
Also, I don’t think the “middle class” buys many Porsches new.
+1 for bikegoesbaa
the truth is they cant keep up with the demand from China. The truth is not many chinese manufacturer really want to sell Cars in Europe or North America. Its a risky move and they are in the car business to make money, not just to make cars. Even when they do strike out to the world, N.A. and Europe most likely will be their last stop. Its going to be South East Asia ->Africa -> middle east ->N.A. -> Europe and Australia + New Zealand.
If you can spend $5 and make $2. why would you spend $10 and trying to make the same $2? Business thinking is the same everywhere, even if you in communist China.
So, uhh…. if you installed a big exhaust tip, a huge rear wing, and underbody neon, would that make it…… Cajun Rice?
*runs away*
+1
It’s bad enough that when I tell people I have a Cayman they think I have a Cayenne. The Cajun will make it even worse. Thanks Porsche!
The reason I laught at Porsche SUVs is because the SUV is the modern station wagon. What would Dr. Porsche think about building Porsche “estates” or “shooting brakes?”
At least BMW built wagons for years before jumping to SUVs/CUVs. Actually when I see the new X3 comercials it’s gotten lower and longer looking and I actually thought it was a commercial for an AWD 3 series wagon.
I thought Porsche, bmw and vw cut their labor costs by making cars in the USA.
Will this Porsche SUV be based on the VW Tiguan and Audi Q5? If so what will Porsche do to differentiate their CUV from the Audi?
Based on the looks of that thing in the CGI above, they might as well take a Nissan Jo(u)ke, slap a few Porsche badges on it and call it a day.
Actually, it looks like that’s exactly what they did.