Porsche says Cayenne is sold out, USA Today and Spies dispute
Let's read throught the fine print here...
As we’ve mentioned in previous articles, we’re anticipating a lukewarm response to the upcoming Cayenne. We think they will sell out of the initial allotments but will face challenges keeping the sales pace up after that.
It's also interesting that many high profile Porsche dealers have interest lists, but NO deposits.
Thursdays USA today shed some light in to the mix on this subject…
Highlights from the article:
Porsche's CEO says all 25,000 of the 2003 Cayenne sport-utility vehicles are sold. But they aren't, at least not to individual buyers.
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Porsche Cayenne
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| North American dealers, who will get about 18,000 of the total, say they aren't sold out. They can't even legally accept deposits in some places from eager buyers certain they want the $56,000-$89,000 high-performance SUV when it goes on sale in March (Spring 2003 delivery predicted last March by Auto Spies).
Porsche has paid for Cayenne's development out of operating cash, so will earn a big profit on the first Cayenne sold. But if Cayenne sales aren't hot, Porsche's halo will be tarnished and financial analysts could begin to doubt the company's judgment.
Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking said the Cayenne is sold out and that should make this year even better.
Wiedeking wasn't available, but a Porsche spokesman in Germany said the sold-out assertion is based on orders and verbal reports from dealers, not on pre-sold consumer orders.
Sacramento Porsche dealer Jonathan Beitz says he has a list of 120 interested buyers, but has no deposits.
Vivian Reeves, a Tampa dealer, has 55 customers who want test drives, but — like Beitz — she has no deposits.
When pictures of the SUV were published last March, German auto industry analysts were so negative on the styling that Porsche shares fell 5% the next day.
Click here to read the article:
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