Does Porsche's New Macan Signal A Move To The Mass Market?

With the introduction of its new Macan crossover at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, Porsche is about to embark on a journey where no performance-luxury automobile manufacturer has gone before. It’s a journey fraught with peril and one sure to set off endless hand-wringing, but it’s one that – if they can pull it off successfully - could transform the German automaker from being the crown jewel of profitability for the VW Group, into either the most desirable limited mass-market brand in the world, or yet another sad automaker that simply lost its way.

But wait a minute - haven’t we been down this road before with the introduction of the Cayenne? The large sport utility so far afield from the Porsche sports car mission that it seemed like a rolling misprint? Yes, to a degree, that is true.


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Sciros - 11/20/2013 2:53:40 PM

+2 Boost

If starting at around $50000 is "mass market" then the term is very loosely defined. The average dollar amount of a new car purchase is in the neighborhood of $30000. So that's a pretty big gap to fill and still call mass market. The CLA starts at $30000 and tops out around $50000. That's mass market. The Macan is $50-$75k or so.

gkearns56 - 11/20/2013 5:25:14 PM

+1 Boost

Unless I'm missing something, the Benz CLA is a $29.9K CAR. So you're comparing oranges vs cucumbers. Compare two like vehicles in the same group.

Sciros - 11/20/2013 11:29:15 PM

0 Boost

Um, yes you ARE missing something. The notion of "mass market" is orthogonal to vehicle classification as an SUV or sedan or "4-door coupe". It is about affordability. The "mass" bit of the "market" isn't people who buy $50k-$70k autos. That was the point.

MattDarringer - 11/20/2013 8:07:32 PM

+1 Boost

The Cayenne signaled their move to mass market. I'm just annoyed how EVERY Porsche has to look like a 911.

Sciros - 11/20/2013 11:32:33 PM

0 Boost

I think it's because a Porsche sells on recognizability by the layman. Not a lot of people, relatively speaking, will be able to tell you that they're looking at a Cayenne or a Cayman or a Macan or a Macaque or whatever but they know they're looking at a PORSCHE. The 911, or "random Porsche" as most people know it, is the face of the brand.

pcar4evr - 11/21/2013 8:17:33 AM

+1 Boost

True, the 911 (991) is the face of Porsche, but the Cayman S is Porsche's best sportscar.

Henanamani1 - 11/22/2013 9:23:35 AM

+1 Boost

I think it should be priced UNDER the Cayenne!

tradervic - 11/23/2013 11:26:36 AM

+1 Boost

Drama much? Agree with first commenter. And also, once again, these "non-Porsches" subsidized 991 and 918 development. So, that being the case, bring 'em on.