Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG successfully started into the year 2014, and its deliveries, turnover and operating results increased even further during the first three months. The deliveries exceeded the prior year’s figure by 4.5 percent with a total of 38,663 vehicles. The turnover grew by one fifth to 3.93 billion euros during the first quarter of the financial year. The operating result grew by 22 percent to 698 million euros.

Return on sales of almost 18 percent

Lutz Meschke, Member of the Executive Board Finance and IT of Porsche AG, emphasized the earning power of the company, which is reflected in the return on sales of almost 18 percent. But Meschke also pointed out that Porsche has to bear significantly increased costs for personnel and depreciation due to the launch of the new Macan series. "Add to that the high expenses for meeting the CO₂ requirements and significant investments in the expansion and modernisation of the Leipzig, Zuffenhausen and Weissach sites ", Meschke continued. Nevertheless, the Member of the Executive Board Finance is optimistic about the course of the 2014 financial year: "Assuming that the sales in Europe continue to stabilize despite the unresolved structural problems, it is our aim to achieve a result that is at last year's level at least."

Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, summarises the need for high investments and development expenses, which will be well over a billion euros during the current business year: "We focus on permanently fulfilling the promise of our brand, i.e. offering the sportiest and most technologically advanced vehicles in our segments." The continuous improvement of the efficiency and the conscious handling of resources are integral parts of the strategy of Porsche here."

"Porsche sales will rise again during the 2014 financial year"

Looking at the market development, the Chairman of the Executive Board appeared convinced that the sports car manufacturer will grow further in the current year, especially in the major markets United States and China. Müller: "Overall, Porsche sales will rise again during the 2014 financial year. The market launch of the Macan provides us with an additional boost here."

The steadily increasing number of employees reflects the growth of Porsche: 15 percent more people than a year ago (20,416) were employed at Porsche as of the 31 March 2014 key date. In the first quarter of 2014 alone, the number grew by 960 employees. The workforce at the Leipzig plant, where the new Macan is produced, experienced the largest increase. But the sports car manufacturer has also created new jobs at the other Porsche sites.