Porsche, like many automakers, is realigning its strategy in response to changing political and consumer winds. Once steadfast in its commitment to an electric future, the sports car maker is adjusting its course, at least temporarily.
Central to this adjustment is the Macan, one of Porsche’s bestsellers, which could take a different path than originally planned.
According to Carscoops, Porsche is now exploring how to integrate more internal combustion engines into its lineup, driven in part by weak sales of the Taycan and rising demand for hybrid and internal combustion models. The change comes amid potential policy changes in the US when the new Trump administration takes office next year.
Porsche CFO Lutz Meschke confirmed during the company’s third-quarter results that the company will “refresh cars with internal combustion engines, including the Panamera and Cayenne, and of course continue to rely on plug-in hybrids.”
Earlier this year, Porsche officials indicated that production of the Macan with internal combustion engines would end by 2026, leaving only an electric version on the market. “The platform has reached the end of its cycle,” Porsche executive board member Albrecht Reimold said back in July.
The Macan with SUS engines has already been withdrawn from European markets not because of a lack of demand, but because its platform no longer meets the latest EU cyber security regulations. Regulatory compliance would be too expensive for such an old platform. However, the version with SUS engines remains available in key markets such as North America, where regulatory standards are apparently less stringent.
“The current Macan with SUS engines will continue to be offered in the US in its current form for the foreseeable future and will be sold alongside the new all-electric Macan,” a Porsche spokesperson told Carscoops. “The length of this parallel offering will also be determined by customer demand and regulatory requirements.”
While this doesn’t necessarily contradict Porsche’s earlier statement of ending production by 2026, the phrasing suggests that the SUS-powered Macan could have a longer lifespan than previously expected if demand remains strong. How much that might be is anybody’s guess.
In production since 2014, the Macan has undergone two facelifts, along with numerous minor updates. Despite these efforts to stay fresh and competitive, the SUV remains tied to an aging platform, with some limitations you just can’t fix, such as a narrower cargo area and a tighter passenger cabin compared to its rivals.
On the other hand, the Macan remains exceptional in its segment, providing one of the best driving dynamics you’ll find in an SUV. Add to that a high-quality, infinitely customizable interior, and it’s easy to see why it remains a favorite.
“In general, Porsche customers will still be able to choose between efficient internal combustion engines, powerful plug-in hybrids and all-electric models in the 2030s,” the spokesman said. “In recent years, the product strategy has aimed to offer all three powertrain variants in every available Porsche segment – sports cars, sports sedans and SUVs. Our strategy is designed to enable more than 80 percent of our new cars to be fully electrified by 2030, depending on customer demand and the development of electromobility in different regions.”
Porsche’s long-term plans remain largely intact. The brand still aims for over 80% of its new cars to be fully electrified by (or possibly beyond) 2030 – assuming customer preferences and global trends align.
Prepared by: Ivan Mitić – Autoblog.rs
Source: autoblog.rs
