Porsche had a bad quarter...

[71eh]

Porsche, I don't need a giant battery or a carbon fiber owners manual case, I need a center slot on my steering wheel!

[blueline]

I blame the lack of PTS allocations, and steering wheels with no center slots.

It's true!!

[blueline]

Porsche, I don't need a giant battery or a carbon fiber owners manual case, I need a center slot on my steering wheel!

[blueline]

WSJ article from yesterday specifically referring to Porsche:

"China Is No Longer an Open Road for German Carmakers"
"A dispute between Porsche and its Chinese dealers highlights falling sales"

https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/chin ... _permalink

And here we are in North America facing limited allocations and excessive ADM, the exact opposite of what this article seems to indicate is happening in China. (Although specific models and numbers are not mentioned, so who knows?)

Hopefully this WSJ article is not blocked behind their paywall. If so, I can screenshot the piece if anyone is interested.

im-966209.jpeg (66.2 KiB) Viewed 741 times

Porsche’s first-quarter deliveries in China fell 24% from a year earlier. Photo: Cfoto/Zuma Press

[Maruscmn]

“Eventually this will mean the automakers will have to offer more rebates and cut into their own margins.“

I can’t even get a discount from Toyota :-/

[blueline]

“Eventually this will mean the automakers will have to offer more rebates and cut into their own margins.“

I can’t even get a discount from Toyota :-/

No kidding!

[911-Purist]

Many of us have lamented the fact that Porsche has apparently decided to forego even a half-hearted attempt at a somewhat more affordable Porsche.

Or actually make cars available to those that want to buy one. What a concept that would be.

[RDMcG]

Well, the US economy up to now has handily outstripped the rest of the world, and many economies including China are facing some real headwinds, plus the political instability does not help. However, personal debt levels are rising.

I think falling demand in various economies will result in some moderation in pricing here, and also greater availability for most models.

(The special cars in limited editions like the Dakar or the S/T will always be in short supply but this is deliberate market management on Porsche's part, same as Ferrari or Rolex or the like. The minute you say "limited edition" there are people who will compete and pay a premium.)

There is no reason to have shortages on a normal 911 or a Cayenne for example.

[911-Purist]

There is no reason to have shortages on a normal 911 or a Cayenne for example.

There should not be a shortage on any Porsche. Why would I turn money down if I were running a business?

[RDMcG]

There is no reason to have shortages on a normal 911 or a Cayenne for example.

There should not be a shortage on any Porsche. Why would I turn money down if I were running a business?

Well, if you produce limited edition or special cars and keep them rare this creates a buzz that might have little to do with the inherent value, and this in turn elevates the brand for the most mass market offerings. Thus a stickered up Anniversary edition for example will fetch a higher price than a regular car.

While I understand this I only buy production cars and only buy the accessories I need. However people will legitimately pay for paint to sample for instance and limited edition cars sell out in advance. From a brand support point of view this elevates the overall value

Porsche is far from unique in this strategy and any reduction in sales is balanced by increase in margin. I see the same in Ferrari, or for instance the new Mustang Dark Horse. Rolex have mastered this with people paying a huge premium for watches in a particular colour, or Hermes with Birkin bags for women where you have to be invited to buy one for maybe $250k.