When Tesla started selling cars, CEO Elon Musk probably didn’t think his little company would eventually cause Porsche to completely restructure itself. But it’s starting to happen. As demand for Tesla cars continues to grow, other automakers are wondering how they can grab a piece of the action and divert some of the dollars from that demand into their own bank accounts. Porsche is discovering just how expensive that effort will be. The electric luxury market is exceptionally small right now, and Tesla has a firm hold on what little market share exists. CNBC, citing data from Moody’s, suggests that the Tesla S and X models account for 45 percent of EV sales in the U.S. Most automakers see the segment growing, though, and want to make sure they’re not left behind. But the investment required to catch up to Tesla is staggering. Porsche’s CFO Lutz Meschke recently spoke with Automotive News Europe about the company’s plan to stay profitable as it invests billions into its electric vehicle program. Specifically, Porsche will be dropping some $3.5 billion into the development of EVs and plug-ins while continuing its dedication to gas and diesel propulsion. To afford it all, the automaker will implement company-wide cost-cutting measures to retain its profit margin of 15 percent. Meschke said,
It sure is a burden, and we have to wonder if it’s an investment that wouldn’t have happened without Tesla’s entry into the auto world. Porsche’s answer to Tesla is called the Mission E, a large premium 4-door sedan that will be competing in the same segment as Tesla’s Model S. In fact, Porsche is even aiming for a sub-$100,000 price, maybe even as low as $86,000, which will put it within shouting distance of the Model S. If early reports hold true, we can expect a driving range of about 250-300 miles and a 0-60 time of about 3.5 seconds. Electrek noted that Porsche has been spotted benchmarking the Mission E against the Model S, so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the specs are significantly better by the time the car debuts in 2019. Would you buy an electric Porsche instead of a Tesla? -tgriffith Find Certified Pre-Owned Cars and Used Cars in your area at CarGurus. Shopping for a new vehicle? Tesla Becomes an “Enormous Burden” on Porsche posted first on http://www.cargurus.com/blog/ via Blogger Tesla Becomes an “Enormous Burden” on Porsche
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April 2018
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