Report: VW To Kill Off Message Models Porsche Panamera, Cayenne

Porsche fans have loudly lamented the company's loss of independence, especially - as they see it - to Europe's prime purveyor of the mundane, Volkswagen. But that alliance may actually bring about the Porsche Purists' ultimate end goal: the eradication of the non-sports car models from Porsche's lineup - at least, if the latest reports out of the UK are to be believed.

Take the following with a lifetime supply of salt, but according to a report in Car magazine, the Volkswagen Group is planning to force Porsche out of the SUV and sedan business once the current models are done with their run. That should take about seven years - the average lifespan of a car architecture.

The argument goes something like this: VW already builds plenty of sedans and SUVs through its VW and Audi brands, among others, and doesn't need the duplicative efforts of Porsche impeding growth and sapping development dollars.

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GTR35 - 9/1/2009 2:35:09 PM

+3 Boost

You must live in LA (or similar), where you're statement does apply, but overall the Cayenne is not an option for most people looking for an SUV. I also see them all the time in LA and it's actually quite painful. About the Panamera... I just want to see one in person, just because, but I'm not a fan of it.

If these are true VW's plans then I will respect them a little for saving Porsche.

cdoke - 9/1/2009 10:41:24 AM

0 Boost

"...sapping development dollars."

This is the important bit- those development dollars have already been spent. The automotive industry is front-end heavy, and as such only recoups losses for a period after the majority of the capital has been invested.

So if they do decide to drop these two vehicles, it will certainly be after their current life cycle, as the article mentions, when more money would need to be invested. The articles mention of (lack of)actual market overlap is certainly valid, unless the reason is due to limited resources on the part of the parent company.

It is important to realize that a lot happens in 7 years though, and things do change.

EL34 - 9/1/2009 10:49:41 AM

-1 Boost

I went to an open house/broker preview last Thursday in Newport Beach, Ca for a brand new $27 million dollar home and I counted 5 Porsche cayenne SUV's parked out front of the mansion that belonged to real estate agents.

VW would be smart to keep both cars around for the next 7 years.

GTR35 - 9/1/2009 2:37:28 PM

+3 Boost

Are you serious? Five? That is quite a number. Did you go blind? Oh wait, you're crossed eyed so maybe you were seeing double.

hyundaifansdotcom - 9/1/2009 5:32:04 PM

+4 Boost

The Porsche bank account begs to differ. The Cayenne is a cash cow for them.

Yonder7 - 9/1/2009 11:33:55 AM

0 Boost

Also VW does not have anything near of the Panamera..or Cayene Turbo...to kill them is a very stupid direction, specially cause they sell very well...

bmwdrvr - 9/1/2009 12:34:46 PM

+3 Boost

Lol Ill take that with a grain of salt. The VW group has several overlapping model lines, between all its many brands that make no sense whatsoever.

VISO - 9/1/2009 12:50:19 PM

+3 Boost

Sounds like Audi has began to assert its influence over Porsche.

Joe_Limon - 9/1/2009 1:02:14 PM

+1 Boost

I wonder if Audi is strong enough in that family to continue making it's baby gallardo/911 fighter... or who in the family shall die off. That seems like a much bigger overlap then high end suv's and sedan's.

thstone - 9/1/2009 7:50:49 PM

+1 Boost

Silly. Every sale of a Touareg was based on the pedigree of the Cayenne.