Report: Porsche Macan Won't Ditch Gas Quite So Soon

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

If a report in Car and Driver is correct, Porsche’s Leipzig assembly plant will soon be home to two overlapping eras — internal combustion, and what comes next. The site, upgraded in the previous decade, handles production of the Macan, which Porsche claims will don an all-electric powertrain for its next generation.

Not so fast, say company insiders.

Apparently, the unconfirmed plan is to keep the current-generation Macan in production alongside the EV-only version, albeit with a facelift to more closely resemble its electric successor. It’s similar to what Ram decided to do with its two 1500 pickups, with the motivating factor here being powertrain choice, not price.

Expected to roll out in 2022 or 2023, the upcoming Macan is seen as a gamble for Porsche, given that it’s the marque’s top selling model. It’s also a necessary evil — if you want to view it that way — to lower the automaker’s fleetwide emissions footprint.

This dual-Macan strategy isn’t just the result of short-lived product overlap during a production line changeover, either. According to a top-level exec, Porsche’s plan is to keep the refreshed older Macan in production for three years. “Such an important car can keep the internal-combustion engine even longer,” another source told the publication.

Such a move would keep the dollars flowing to fund the further electrification of the Porsche lineup, while at the same time offsetting development costs of the Macan successor. The model remains a popular entry point for Porsche customers.

Porsche’s 2019 sales were a bright point in the industry, with global deliveries rising 10 percent for the year. Macan sales almost topped the six-figure mark, rising 16 percent. In the U.S., where Porsche volume rose 8 percent, Macan sales fell slightly from their 2018 high water mark.

[Image: Porsche AG]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Lstanley Lstanley on Feb 13, 2020

    The transition to all-electric vehicles sure seems to be happening faster than I thought would be the case.

    • See 1 previous
    • N8iveVA N8iveVA on Feb 14, 2020

      @hreardon I'm not saying there isn't a market for EV's, but I suspect that when they get to the point where someone walks into a Porsche dealer looking for a Macan and the only model offered is electric, a very high percentage will move on to something else.

  • Whatnext Whatnext on Feb 13, 2020

    As a confirmed crossover hater, I must admit I find the Macan appealling.

  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
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