In a time when basically every automobile manufacturer in the world is having poor quarter after poor quarter, Porsche managed to salvage a pretty decent one from Q1 of 2022 by focusing on its home market and getting cars out wherever it could. In the world we live in today, the cost of shipping things overseas is prohibitively expensive, supply chains are stretched beyond their limits, and cars are getting ever more complex to build. In an effort to get as many cars delivered as possible in the quarter, while maximizing profits, Porsche set its sights on Europe and especially Germany. It’s so much easier to deliver a car right now if it doesn’t have to get on a boat.
Somehow, Porsche managed to ship 68,426 new vehicles to customers in Q1 globally. While that represents a global downturn of 5 percent over the same quarter last year, it’s still pretty okay, all things considered.
“In light of the exceptional circumstances affecting the wider automotive industry, our sales teams and dealers performed well in the first quarter,” says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “The resurgence of the coronavirus in some regions such as China, coupled with ongoing significant supply and logistical challenges, have put us to the test. At the same time, our products continue to be in high demand among customers worldwide – equally in Europe, the Americas and China.”
China, which is Porsche’s largest market in the world, suffered setbacks this year with a renewed resurgence of the novel coronavirus, which meant closing down many of its delivery centers. The US market suffered a plague of a different kind, as hundreds of Porsches destined for our shores went down with the Felicity Ace intercontinental vessel a few weeks ago. For the brand’s two largest markets to be down 20 and 25 percent, but keep the decrease to a 5% minimum, the company clearly busted its butt.
In Q1 Porsche delivered 19,029 Cayenns and 18,329 Macans, which are still by far the two strongest models in the carmaker’s lineup. Taycan beat out the 911 globally with the electric sedan delivering 9470 units and the sports car icon just shy at 9327. The company’s large Panamera sedan shipped 7735 units, and the long-soldiering 718 Caymand and Boxster just 4536. Likely that last one will see a jump in the next quarter as GT4 RS models finally get delivered to customers.
“We remain guarded as we move into the second quarter, particularly in light of the armed conflict in Ukraine, which we view with consternation and concern for those involved. The health and safety of the people are paramount. The impact on our business activities is being continuously reviewed and assessed by our task force of experts. In spite of all this, we remain optimistic in our overall outlook and won’t be making any compromises when it comes to creating emotive and unique experiences for our customers,” says Detlev von Platen.