Atlanta HQ Visit - Submit your questions to ask the mothership

[cardriva]

I don’t think he (not you @SergeyIndy ) knows what he’s talking about. Why in hell would they be putting out a Cayenne EV if they plan to drop all EV‘s?

exactly!

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[SergeyIndy]

exactly!

I talked to several people who work at HQ and all said Boxter EV is not going to happen - cancelled.

 

[snstevens]

I believe you when you say that someone is telling you that a Boxster EV is not going to happen, but this article from Porsche in September implies that there is still going to be a 718 EV. From the article --

Certain all-electric models will be introduced later
In return, due to the delayed ramp-up of electric mobility, the market launch of certain all-electric vehicle models is planned to take place at a later date. In particular, the development of the planned new platform for electric vehicles in the 2030s is to be rescheduled. The platform is to be technologically redesigned in coordination with other brands within the Volkswagen Group. This is the company’s response to the significant slower growth of the demand for exclusive battery-electric vehicles. Nevertheless, the existing all-electric model range is being continuously updated. With the Taycan, Macan, Cayenne and the future two-door sports car in the 718 segment, there will be an attractive BEV offering.

I'm certainly not in a position to comment on the internal discussions at Porsche, but after the success they've had with the Taycan (and yes, it was and is recognized as either the top EV in its segment or one of the top), and the imminent launch of an EV Cayenne, I simply can't imagine them saying "let's get out of the battery EV business". I believe they will simply deal with their battery supplier issues and release a 2027 718 EV with official release at the end of 2026.

 

[SergeyIndy]

I believe you when you say that someone is telling you that a Boxster EV is not going to happen, but this article from Porsche in September implies that there is still going to be a 718 EV. From the article --

Certain all-electric models will be introduced later
In return, due to the delayed ramp-up of electric mobility, the market launch of certain all-electric vehicle models is planned to take place at a later date. In particular, the development of the planned new platform for electric vehicles in the 2030s is to be rescheduled. The platform is to be technologically redesigned in coordination with other brands within the Volkswagen Group. This is the company’s response to the significant slower growth of the demand for exclusive battery-electric vehicles. Nevertheless, the existing all-electric model range is being continuously updated. With the Taycan, Macan, Cayenne and the future two-door sports car in the 718 segment, there will be an attractive BEV offering.

I'm certainly not in a position to comment on the internal discussions at Porsche, but after the success they've had with the Taycan (and yes, it was and is recognized as either the top EV in its segment or one of the top), and the imminent launch of an EV Cayenne, I simply can't imagine them saying "let's get out of the battery EV business". I believe they will simply deal with their battery supplier issues and release a 2027 718 EV with official release at the end of 2026.

I am not an expert on any of these topics, but I did ask why, and they said that they cannot compete in the Chinese market with their EV offering and this means to me if China is not going to buy Porsche EVs, then they will not make them for the rest of the world. That is the rationale that was presented.

 

[tigerbalm]

I can see the thinking that is being credited to the "Atlanta sources". In summary, it seems to me to be saying: (a) we'll do rebadged Audi EV platforms only for our two SUVs. (b) we'll sweat our existing unique Taycan EV platform for as long as we can and (c) we'll focus/double down on our unique petrol/hybrid sports cars in 911/718.

Audi variants deliver a comprehensive EV portfolio without much need for R&D spend, and Porsche continues to allocate a relatively small element of capital against petrol focused models in the future.

The 718 EV is is close to being released but has two new challenges: (a) their is no longer a clear volume supplier for its "chest" battery and (b) it needs to be retrofitted to allow for a hybrid engine alongside an EV drivetrain. Its possible that the finance people have called a halt to this – despite the innovation it brings to the EV market –and preferred to write down the near €1.8B billion investment made to-date – rather than continue to spend money on manufacturing and marketing a niche model. The "911" factory has been re-tooled to manufacture this model already – so this decision making can always be revisited in the future.

To get around EU rules – which the German and French motor industry are trying to influence to change – they will both double down on selling Audi based EV's but also up the price of their petrol variants to reduce volume shipments and get into being a niche player category where there is less CO2 obligations. (aka Ferrari).

I'm not sure I believe everything I've read on this thread – but I can see it as a potential strategy.

 

[ze_shark]

Dated September 19th 2025:

With the Taycan, Macan, Cayenne and the future two-door sports car in the 718 segment, there will be an attractive BEV offering.

The rumored cancellation of the 718 or the narrative of this abandonment of EVs by Porsche are contradicted by everything they officially communicate, and which constitutes formal guidance to investors.

 

[tbinmd]

I would take anything that somebody at PCNA tells you with a grain of salt. They are not HQ, that is PAG (Germany). PAG is holds information very close to the vest. PCNA is PAG’s customer of sorts.

I ahve a friend that lives in Stuttgart and he continues to see the EV versions of the Boxster. If it was canceled then why would they still be testing. I think we won’t see it until closer to 2030, something will not be released with the current battery technology.

 

[tigerbalm]

I'm doing the factory tour here in Stuttgart tomorrow and will report back anything I hear on this topic. Last time I did it they were pretty open about how they had retooled the production line to build hybrid 911s and fully electric 718s.

 

[daveo4EV]

I'm doing the factory tour here in Stuttgart tomorrow and will report back anything I hear on this topic. Last time I did it they were pretty open about how they had retooled the production line to build hybrid 911s and fully electric 718s.

more importantly what are you picking up at the factory?

 

[SergeyIndy]

I would take anything that somebody at PCNA tells you with a grain of salt. They are not HQ, that is PAG (Germany). PAG is holds information very close to the vest. PCNA is PAG’s customer of sorts.

I ahve a friend that lives in Stuttgart and he continues to see the EV versions of the Boxster. If it was canceled then why would they still be testing. I think we won’t see it until closer to 2030, something will not be released with the current battery technology.

That was exactly how my dealer GM said it, Boxter EV delayed to 2030, then he said basically in Porsche speak means cancelled.

 

[tigerbalm]

more importantly what are you picking up at the factory?

Just a sneaky 718 EV! I wish, just here for the weekend and had booked a tour a few months ago. Ended up just seeing the 911 factory – they didn't bring us to the Taycan assembly building. I was happy enough with that – having seen and written extensively about my walks through that building previously.

I didn't gleam anything special today. The 911 factory is as busy as ever – though they appear to have slowed down to two shifts a day from three back in 2023. Back then we were told they were ready to build the hybrid 911 and the fully electric 718 down the same line. Today, virtually every car was a hybrid variant but of course no sign (or mention/claim) of a electric 718.

It is always a fun experience – knowing every 911 ever made – including our own – went down this line and came out of this specific building, You learn such nice tidbits on the tour – such as the Targa glass is hand glued and fitted to each vehicle because the glue robot from ABB – isn't sophisticated enough to handle its complex shape.

This is my first time walking down the 911 assembly line as an owner – so I took special notice of all the details this time. Such as there were four Targa rear windows waiting to be fitted at the glass station – alongside about 90 regular rear windows – giving me a sense of how many Targa's are manufactured relative to other models.

It was interesting to see the dashboards being assembled alongside the main assembly line – no longer with any analogue dials – Taycan style.

I was surprised to see how many of the dashboard were being fitted with Burmester speakers – an option I consider to be on the wrong side of expensive and hard to enjoy in the noise of a 911.

Very few right hand drive cars were obvious on the assembly line. But some lovely PTS colours going down – some sophisticated greens like Irish Green (my current obsession) and British Racing Green – alongside burnt oranges and baby blues.

So many Porsche's out in world are monochrome – but that is not so on the actual assembly line.

The size of the flat-six engine and gearbox assembly compared to the overall size of the 911 is always a surprise to me. It really is a large engine that the car just swallows when the "marriage" is completed.

I've heard the Taycan factory is at one shift (down from two) and there is a little bit of talk that perhaps they'll move to a four day week for a while to handle reduced volumes.

But I didn't get to see it today – to get a sense of any change from the peak volume I witnessed when there in 2021 – when COVID supply shortages was the only challenges the Taycan faced.

 

[tigerbalm]

Other random observations

All the "regular" 911's – Turbo S, Targa, 4S, etc – were all getting fitted with Pirelli PZero's today. Anything special looking: GT3, S/T or GT2 RS – looked to be getting various forms of Michelin tyres.

Goodyear or Hankook: none existent.

Make of that as you will.

I've been very impressed with the Pirelli PZero NA1 factory fitted tyres on my 911 Targa, but think I'll try out the Michelin 4S NA1 when it comes to replace as it has just slightly better wet performance (highly appropriate here in Ireland) over the Pirelli.

All the 911's available for rent at the Porsche Museum are very well specified. Very @tigerbalm friendly All had adaptive cruise control and most have night vision assistance, alongside heated and cooled seats. Many GTS variants with PCCB/Carbon Brake configured. And, no I didn't try and rent a car I have sitting at home waiting for us.

I approve!

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