Porsche's finances

[Jobbo]

I read elsewhere that Porsche profits are dropping and the share price is down 37%. I don't know if more electric cars is going to stabilise things (thinking particularly of the EV Boxster and Cayman coming shortly). That led me down memory lane to the last time Porsche was in trouble and built some excellent cars to get back on their feet: the 986 Boxster and 996 911. I know the Cayenne was really the profit maker but they had to bolster their core product before they could move onto that.

Back in the late 90s and 2000s, I used to see loads of Boxsters around. It feels like I don't see many these days - it's rare even to see a 981 and they've been out for something like 13 years. Maybe they're not as profitable as the Macan and Cayenne (and I see far more of both around than the sports cars) but has Porsche deliberately limited supply of the 718? I remember being told there was a year or so wait even for a 2.0 Boxster when we got our Macan, but I put that down to COVID and semiconductor supply issues at the time. I reckon I see as many 991s and 992s as 981 and 718 Caysters these days.

I guess selling as many 911s is good for profits too but I don't quite understand the market. 986s and 987s were definitely around in far more numbers than 996s and 997s, so you'd imagine the demand is there. There must have been plenty of potential 718 buyers who didn't want to spend £100k on a 911 or buy a Macan.

[dinny_g]

The language and tone of the announcement made things seem pretty bleak...

[MikeHunt]

My first thought was that if this is happening to Porsche, jag have zero chance (sadly).

[Holley]

Perhaps the rise of the superhatch (RS3, A45) and 2+2 (M2) are to blame as can be used as your main car, faster and still fun to drive. As a second car, I think people admire the 718 but don't often desire one as not quite special enough in its normal format (unless it's a GTS, GT4).

[V8Granite]

I see quite a few hero cars, new 911 Turbos, GT3s etc and then 986 Boxsters. I see the odd Macan and Cayenne but not as many as a few years ago when the V8 diesel was everywhere in Stamford.

I wonder how the prices compare to their competition compared to 15 years ago.

Dave!

[Jobbo]

I don't think the Boxster/Cayman prices are particularly high compared to the competition, nor are the lower end Macans - the issue being that the well-priced ones are all 4-cylinder versions. When buying our Macan in 2023 it was noteworthy that a similarly powerful 4-cylinder petrol Audi Q5 wasn't any cheaper. Porsche have increased prices each year but so has everyone.

Still see plenty of 986 and 987 Boxsters around. Which makes it weird to see so few 981s and 718s.

[V8Granite]

I’m trying to think of the most common sports car in general I see and am struggling. It’s mainly hot hatches or very high end stuff now.

Dave!

[Jobbo]

I reckon I see Z4s and SLKs most. MX5s are not as commonplace as I anticipated. I often do a 20 mile journey in mine without seeing anyone to wave to.

[Ascender]

All cars from the premium brands are expensive - like @Jobbo says, its not just Porsche and there's obviously an overlap with BMW, Audi, Merc etc for the SUVs.

Not having a Boxster can't be good surely?

I was watching this yesterday which gives a high level overview of their sales figures and profits (or lack thereof). Chinese market has dropped off but their largest market, North America is expected to be hit by the ever-increasing prices.

[Mito Man]

I was surprised to learn recently that Porsche don't have any factories outside the EU. Aside from the Cayenne which is made in Slovakia everything else is made in Germany. They're pretty stuffed whilst this trade war goes on as building an entire factory isn't the work of a week.

[integrale_evo]

Profits drop and share price dives 37%

Tesla earnings drop through the floor and their share price goes down about 3%. Currently at 320 from 335 just before the report.

[ShockDiamonds]

Slightly different take on this one. After the way they treated me over my Panamera debacle, exhibiting something along the lines of ‘There is always another customer’ attitude, part of me thinks ‘what goes around comes around’. If they’ve misread the market then it may be time for a readjustment of their arrogant mindset.

[Simon]

[mik]

Slightly different take on this one. After the way they treated me over my Panamera debacle, exhibiting something along the lines of ‘There is always another customer’ attitude, part of me thinks ‘what goes around comes around’. If they’ve misread the market then it may be time for a readjustment of their arrogant mindset.

Fair point. I haven’t owned a Porsche for 17 years, but the hoops that customers have to jump through in order to “qualify” to buy a GT-car are fairly well documented.

[Ascender]

Slightly different take on this one. After the way they treated me over my Panamera debacle, exhibiting something along the lines of ‘There is always another customer’ attitude, part of me thinks ‘what goes around comes around’. If they’ve misread the market then it may be time for a readjustment of their arrogant mindset.

Fair point. I haven’t owned a Porsche for 17 years, but the hoops that customers have to jump through in order to “qualify” to buy a GT-car are fairly well documented.

The latest one according to pistonboatshoes involves buying Porsche-branded watches and mountain bikes and other associated tat. Along with your 6 Taycans.

But this seems to be very much down to the local dealers rather than a Porsche mandate as such.

[Jobbo]

I've booked a Taycan test drive on 20 August - an invitation from the dealer rather than instigated by me. I am hoping I have sufficient time to take it home and try to fit my bike in the boot

[mik]

I am hoping I have sufficient time to take it home and try to fit my bike in the boot

So they can’t sell you a Porsche-branded one - great idea

[Jobbo]

I am hoping I have sufficient time to take it home and try to fit my bike in the boot

So they can’t sell you a Porsche-branded one - great idea

I hope the dealer doesn't see through my cunning plan as quickly as you did.

[Mito Man]

Does the Taycan have the same woefully engineered motors that the Etron coupes have with regards to crap coolant seals?

[Jobbo]

The E-Tron GT is basically a Taycan so if that's the one you're talking about, almost certainly. No idea if they improved them with the facelift; I'd only consider a facelift Taycan because it's vastly more efficient for some reason so the range is actually useful.

Not planning to change the S6 though, and that's what a Taycan Sport Turismo would replace in our household. I'm keen to try one still.