The changeover to WLTP continues to have an impact. In the first quarter of 2019, Porsche AG delivered 55,700 vehicles worldwide; this corresponds to a decrease of twelve percent compared with the same period in the previous year. The Cayenne recorded growth of 35 percent and was delivered 18,310 times. The new model has been available in all markets since this year. The greatest demand continues to be for the Macan, which was delivered 19,795 times.
“2019 has started out challenging for us and for the entire automotive industry,” says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “The changeover to the new WLTP test cycle and gasoline particulate filters has continued to occupy us in the first months of the year. In addition, the unusually strong start to 2018 meant that a comparatively weaker first quarter was to be expected.” Another factor is the generation change for the top-selling Macan and the iconic 911 sports car. The new 911 was presented in Los Angeles at the end of November and is being gradually launched in the individual markets.
Good growth in the USA
In the USA, Porsche achieved eight percent growth in the first quarter. With 15,024 deliveries, the market ranked in second place behind China. In China, deliveries fell by ten percent to 16,890 units due to the weakening overall market and customer reticence in expectation of the announced lower value added tax rate as from April. Deliveries in Europe were also lower than the previous year.
For 2019, Porsche expects a slight overall increase in deliveries compared with the previous year – supported by the demand for new products. “In particular the eighth generation of the Porsche 911, which started being delivered in Europe a few days ago, is in high demand from our customers, and allows us to look optimistically toward the future," says Detlev von Platen. The new Cayenne Coupé will be in dealerships from May, and in September Porsche will present the Taycan as the first pure electric sports car.
