Porsche manufacturing plant in the U.S.?

Hot off the digital press. Thoughts? https://engineerine.com/volkswagens-...3UaCubgPCzG_gg

Nice! If they offer an option, like Chevy did some years ago with the corvette, where you could go help build the engine, I might even buy one.

My bet is SUV production.

Quotes source post: 19886650

That's my gut feeling too with maybe the Taycan being produced there because of the establish EV assembly. I would imagine for PR reasons the 911 will continue to be manufactured in Stuttgart along with the Cayman/Boxster?

I'd guess SUV's as well. Brand wise, I can't see them manufacturing 911's, Caymans or even Panamera's in the US as the German COO is part of the offering. Now, having myself owned a Westmoreland, PA made VW Golf and Jetta back in the day

Makes sense. They sell a heck of alot more SUVs in the US than sports car. Keeps them in good standing with future trade policy.

Yea, prolly just S U V. I think the image of the 911 was nothing more than click bait. (It got me!) It's funny how every time there is a major article about Porsche the headline image shows a 911. Guess manufacturing images of a Macan and Cayenne look no different that any other manufacturing line. "Wow, is that the new Mazda suv?"

Certainly could be for the electric SUV variants.

Trump hasn't formally started his trade negotiations with the EU just yet, but its coming. It's inevitable, foreign car manufacturers will need to build things in the US and employ Americans if they want to sell there stuff here.

I am not holding my breath.

I think this has more to do with VW's and Audi's drastically dropping worldwide 2024 sales than anything else, and perhaps filling up the excess capacity in existing US VW plants. They are either closing plants in Germany or selling them to China. Besides, given our ping-pong politics in the US every 4 years, it's doubtful they will take a gamble on tariffs remaining the same under the next president. And then there's the fact that it would take at least until the next presidential term to set up for Porsche production in the US. I don't see VAG making such a huge investment when their sales is hurting already.

The EU negotiations haven't even started. Just the foreplay.

BMW and Mercedes have had plants here for decades in Spartanburg, SC and Tuscaloosa, AL respectively, making SUVs for us SUV-hungry Americans. I there is any consideration of building a plant here, it's been in the works for a while and has nothing to do with the shifting politics (of course, that won't keep a certain politician from taking credit if indeed it does happen). From the moment that commitments from the target city and state are official (which will likely take several months of negotiations), I'm sure that it'll take several years to get a plant online and by that time, there will be a new administration. It took like 8 years from idea to the first car (SUV) rolling off the line for the Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced..._International Ug. I just reread the headline above. The rumor is the "expand" the plant. My guess is that won't take 8 years. But, likely several with the decision not being based on the current political climate.

The reality is that Germany is facing an economic slowdown. They are an export economy that has been reliant on export Growth. From a car sales standpoint, VW is experiencing a rather large drop in unit sales to China. The biggest economy in the world is still the US and represents the best opportunity for car sales without substantial home grown competition. US economy is $29T, Eurozone is $16T, and China is $18T. The US still represents a better opportunity for VW brand sales growth than does Europe or China. Politics and Policy is the side show for now. https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagen-sales-drop-tough-year-home-china-2025-01-14/

It's the same strategy as BMW, albeit 15 years too late, to build SUV's for the US market in the US. Most are sold and stay in the US so why not. It may also fit in with the discussion to build a new ICE and/or hybrid platform for Macan. Recall that the ICE Macan would disappear after the introduction of the all-electric version, but Porsche has been hinting about a revival of a strictly ICE platform making a come-back, i.e. not a shared platform with the electric model. A US assembled ICE/hybrid Macan would be an instant classic! /X3

Gotta agree with you on the BMW strategy. VW/Porsche/Audi will figure it out in the US. They have no choice. It's improvise, adapt, grow or die. Just ask Stelantis. VW/Porsche/Audi have figured out that EV isn't the answer to dependable sales growth in the US. We like our ICE powered vehicles and can tolerate a hybrid, but EV sales growth after the initial novelty excitement have been lackluster at best in the US. All of the new hybrid technology in IMSA, WEC. F1, etc coupled with the "clean" bio fuel being used in those series, which was first developed by Porsche BTW, will further cement the next phase of hybrid development in showrooms over the next 5 years. Ford is now developing engines for Red Bull in F1. Cadilac is entering F1. Every major car manufacturer is now involved in either IMSA, WEC, F1 or all, which is all about hybrid technology. Add in the pressure of future trade wars and the economic survival of each car company, the only choice is to improvise and adapt for survival and growth. Whether some like it or not, foreign car companies will be opening manufacturing plants in the US.