In an interview last week with Porsche Global Sales and Marketing Executive Bernhard Maier, Automotive News received some fairly large indicators that more Porsche plug-in hybrids are on the horizon.
To-date, the automaker has offered three different production plug-in models: the 918 Spyder, Cayenne S E-Hybrid, and Panamera S E-Hybrid, with rumors still afloat for similar treatments of the Macan and 911. According to Automotive News, Mr. Maier will commonly drive either the Cayenne or Panamera to Porsche’s Stuttgart headquarters, and tries to make the commute without using anything but the cars’ electric range.
And, he says, market opinions of plug-in cars are quickly warming. “People are beginning to understand that with a plug-in hybrid they have the ability to be totally flexible [in terms of range and performance] while having their own filling station for electricity at home or at the office, which is really convenient,” he said.
When asked how the market is reacting specifically to Porsche plug-ins, Maier responded: “On the Panamera, we are already at 10 percent of global demand, while the Cayenne was just introduced. In general, we see more potential in markets where authorities or governments subsidize models that reduce pollution, because having the best of two worlds inside one car is a little bit more expensive.”
Unfortunately, Mr. Maier stated that no plans for a Porsche plug-in 911 E-Hybrid have yet been green-lit, but the fine folks of Stuttgart are looking at possibly producing one in the future.
To that, we say they simply must: BMW has the i8. That smug hybrid sportscar newbie needs a worthy competitor.
No Comments yet