From now on, Porsche should have even more good PR than PReviously. Today, TTAC was reached by two press releases, celebrating the momentous occasion of the partial production of the Boxster model at Volkswagen Osnabrück. One release came from Porsche. The other, you guessed it, came from Volkswagen.
Start’s the Porsche version:
“As of today, Porsche has begun partially producing its Boxster model at Volkswagen Osnabrück GmbH. This step is necessary, as Porsche’s main factory in Stuttgart does not have enough capacity to cope with demand. In Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen the new Porsche 911 and the new Boxster are being made in a mixed model operation on one production line. The first vehicle to roll off the line was an Indian red Boxster S with a black soft top. It is destined for a customer in Lower Bavaria. In attendance for the start of Boxster production in Osnabrück were Minister President of Lower Saxony David McAllister, Lord Mayor of Osnabrück Boris Pistorius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn as well as President and CEO of Porsche AG Matthias Müller”
Whereas the Volkswagen version says:
“The Volkswagen plant at Osnabrück started series production of the Porsche Boxster today. The official ceremony on the production line was attended by Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, David McAllister, Minister-President of Lower Saxony, and Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG. Volkswagen and Porsche completed the creation of an integrated automotive group together in August and are now able to significantly intensify their cooperation.”
Separate sets of photos were also sent out. Since August, Porsche is officially part of Volkswagen. History buffs will remember that Volkswagen Osnabrück previously was Karmann, a company that fell on hard times and was rescued by Volkswagen for sentimental reasons.
I have to guess this ‘marriage’ is not about synergies and cost savings, what with press releases now sent as doubles…
I feel bad for the guy in lower Bavaria. 1). Dude, your car is used with all those asses sitting in that thing, 2). VW ‘touched’ your car – Bon chance. Hopefully he/she purchased the extended warranty option.
Picture #3 represents a typical day in the life of the useless C-Level execs.
These 3 hacks were probably never involved with any of the real world experience in the making or design of the car. Yet, feel fully entitled and obligated to go to the line and push Hans out of the way for a photo op.
Agree. I love the blank look on the face of the suit hunched over with the purple tie feigning interest. Too bad he didn’t get a squirt of oil or something in his face right at that moment…..
Does it come with new and improved IMS failures?
In my dream world, automotive CEOs wear racing suits and business casual attire. Not a single one of those CEO types looks even remotely interested in this. And why should they be? They all drive Bentleys or some such whale of a car. That is why Porsche has lost it’s way. The magic is gone. It’s all business now. A company ruled by MBAs with a passion for profit instead of engineering.
When is the new Cayman?
A quick check between the German and the US sites reveals the astounding fact that Porsche calls Guards red Indian Red in the fatherland.
“The first vehicle to roll off the line was an Indian red Boxster S with a black soft top.”
Gee, why don’t they call it that here?