Porsche hopes to be considered ‘low-volume’ in order to avoid fines

Porsche is hoping that it U.S. regulators will consider it a “low-volume” automaker in order to avoid paying huge fines for missing fuel-economy standards. According to Federal law definitions, a “low volume” auto maker has a global annual production of 10,000 vehicles and regulators can go easy on fuel-economy standards for such automakers.

But a new bill that the Senate passed recently, will raise fuel-economy standards and will redefine a “low volume” automaker as one with less than 0.4 percent of...
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DaHarder - 12/10/2007 2:59:17 PM

+2 Boost

As per the figures quotes, Porsche was some 29,773 units (in their record 2006) from the .4%/64,000 units required by the new law.

Does Porsche really believe that they almost doubled their global sales in 2007?

I don't think there's much to worry about here, they're still a 'low volume' automaker, though they'd best be concerned about those new fuel-economy standards.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/10/2007 6:04:52 PM

+2 Boost

These are US sales alone, not global sales. They sell well over 100,000 cars worldwide.

investor27 - 12/10/2007 4:47:49 PM

+4 Boost

Besides, it's not like they can't afford to pay the fine. A couple of millions in fine is nothing compared to the 100 million CEO's salary. Porsche will be fine.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/10/2007 6:05:19 PM

+3 Boost

LOL, you're exactly right! They ARE the most profitable brand in the world, so they have no reason to complain.

1970toyotamarc - 12/10/2007 7:48:30 PM

+3 Boost

stupid loophole, i hope it gets closed. If a mfr chooses to ignore CAFE standards, that is their prerogative. But since the cost is to all of society, they should pay a price. Porsche is large enough to make qualifying products, it should be non-issue for them. Use some of their technical prowess for efficiency instead of higher and higher hp on models like the Boxster and Cayman,or come in with a new 914. For a mfr like Ferrari, I can see it as a problem, but buyers of Ferraris can pay the fine.

Kinger - 12/11/2007 8:54:55 AM

0 Boost

Well they have a Cayenne hybrid in the pipe-line and i'm sure some of that hybrid tech can be applied to the rest of their range in the same vein as what BMW is doing.