Spicy Porsche Stories: Not So Fast, Herr Winterkorn…

Approximately two weeks ago, I reported how Volkswagen CEO, Martin Winterkorn, confirmed that Porsche was going to bring us a new, smaller SUV. A sort of younger brother to the Cayenne called the “Cajun”. Well, it appears that the “Cajun” and few other things aren’t so clear cut. Either that or someone doesn’t value their career at Volkswagen. Or rather Porsche.

Autocar reports that Porsche’s new CEO, Matthias Mueller, has a somewhat different view of Porsche. According to him, plans for the Cajun, for a sub-Boxster roadster and a few other projects have been put on hold, pending a review. In fact, a review of ALL new models Porsche wants to bring out is about to start.

Is that an axe I hear swishing in Stuttgart? “We have to clarify how we are to spread out our product program – below, above, left and right – and so on and we’ll see,” said Herr Mueller. “There are a lot of questions still to be answered and we want to create a business case (for them)…Then it will be possible.” The review is hoping to make its decisions by the end of 2010. From the sound of Mueller’s statement, it also could take a few years more.

Herr Mueller also called into question Winterkorn’s plans to make Porsche sell 150,000 units annually. “Mr Winterkorn mentioned 150,000 units, two weeks ago, and I’ve seen that figure,” the Porsche CEO said. “Of course we have to increase volume, but we first have to look at the other issues; we have to have profit and we intend to keep ourselves premium.” I don’t wish to sound like Chicken Little, but could this be the start of dischord and a possible power struggle between Wolfsburg and Stuttgart? I certainly hope so. Ever since “ The Sopranos” finished, I’ve missed a family at a good old war.