If a report in Car and Driver is correct, Porsche’s Leipzig assembly plant will soon be home to two overlapping eras — internal combustion, and what comes next. The site, upgraded in the previous decade, handles production of the Macan, which Porsche claims will don an all-electric powertrain for its next generation.
Not so fast, say company insiders.
Apparently, the unconfirmed plan is to keep the current-generation Macan in production alongside the EV-only version, albeit with a facelift to more closely resemble its electric successor. It’s similar to what Ram decided to do with its two 1500 pickups, with the motivating factor here being powertrain choice, not price.
Expected to roll out in 2022 or 2023, the upcoming Macan is seen as a gamble for Porsche, given that it’s the marque’s top selling model. It’s also a necessary evil — if you want to view it that way — to lower the automaker’s fleetwide emissions footprint.
This dual-Macan strategy isn’t just the result of short-lived product overlap during a production line changeover, either. According to a top-level exec, Porsche’s plan is to keep the refreshed older Macan in production for three years. “Such an important car can keep the internal-combustion engine even longer,” another source told the publication.
Such a move would keep the dollars flowing to fund the further electrification of the Porsche lineup, while at the same time offsetting development costs of the Macan successor. The model remains a popular entry point for Porsche customers.
Porsche’s 2019 sales were a bright point in the industry, with global deliveries rising 10 percent for the year. Macan sales almost topped the six-figure mark, rising 16 percent. In the U.S., where Porsche volume rose 8 percent, Macan sales fell slightly from their 2018 high water mark.
[Image: Porsche AG]
Porsche is smart – with an a.
The transition to all-electric vehicles sure seems to be happening faster than I thought would be the case.
There’s a difference between manufacturers putting electric cars into production, and the market’s acceptance. “If you build it they will come” is the mantra right now….I’m still dubious.
I’m not saying there isn’t a market for EV’s, but I suspect that when they get to the point where someone walks into a Porsche dealer looking for a Macan and the only model offered is electric, a very high percentage will move on to something else.
As a confirmed crossover hater, I must admit I find the Macan appealling.