I like it!!

 

This is looking good. Price tag $125,000+

PorscheAG Announces Panamera Sports Coupe to be Built in Germany at its Leipzig Facility
Friday May 19, 7:49 am ET

ATLANTA, May 19 /CNW/ - The Porsche AG Board of Management announced at a press conference today that the luxury automaker will build its highly anticipated four-door Panamera in Germany at its Leipzig Plant, where it currently produces the Cayenne model range and just completed the limited production run of the Carrera GT supercars.

While the engines of the Panamera will be built in Porsche's main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, the Volkswagen Plant in Hanover will supply the painted bodies.

In anticipation of the Panamera, which is currently under development and is scheduled to enter the market in 2009 as Porsche's first-ever premium-class four-door sports coupe, Porsche said it will expand the Leipzig production facility significantly. The plans involve construction of a new 269,000 square-foot Production Hall and the extension of the existing Assembly Hall with the addition of a Pilot and Analysis Center as well as a Workshop for Apprentice Training. A 323,000 square-foot Logistics Center will also be built in the direct vicinity of the new facility. Subject to formal building approval by local authorities, Porsche plans to begin construction to expand Leipzig this September.

The overall investment in new buildings and production facilities amounts to 120 million Euros.

In the words of Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG: "Right from the beginning in the production of the Cayenne and the Carrera GT, our Leipzig Plant has proven impressively that it is in a position to build premium cars of the highest quality. So taking this decision in favor of Leipzig is a clear sign of confidence in the skills and abilities of our workforce at the plant, and at the same time a further contribution to the economic development of the New States of Germany in the East." In Wiedeking's words, the "Made in Germany" stamp of quality is also of particular significance to the Panamera: "Making this pledge to Germany as a center of industry, we are enhancing the inherent value of our sports cars - and at the same time we are meeting the expectations of our customers," emphasizes Porsche's President and CEO.

Again, Porsche is waiving its entitlement to subsidies: "The success of our Cayenne Sports Utility Vehicle proves that we do not have to use public money in order to build our cars. Rather, what counts in our case is to build the car economically in a well-conceived production concept and with the high standard of quality that characterizes our company," states Porsche's CEO in explaining the decision.

Commenting on the Hanover facility decision, Wiedeking said: "We have decided in favor of the Hanover Plant because it is one of the most modern plants within the entire Volkswagen Group and is in a position to build the body of the car with the premium quality we require. A further advantage is that the paintshop in Hanover allows a wider range of colors than at other VW plants." The Management and Works Council of the Hanover Plant, stated Wiedeking, agreed with Porsche that Hanover stood for top quality and maximum efficiency, and was therefore fully competitive and fit for the future. Porsche, he added, had already been able to verify these qualities in the past, with Porsche Consulting, the Company's in-house consulting specialist, having supported and consulted Hanover in the introduction of lean production processes.

Like Porsche's other models, the Panamera is a genuine Porsche product "Made in Germany," with approximately 70 percent of the car's overall assembled value to be domestic.

Production of Porsche's four-seater Sports Coupe also benefits the labor market, with some 600 new jobs being created at Porsche Leipzig GmbH and another 600 with suppliers in the region. Recruitment of these new employees will start in 2008. At Porsche's Plants in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen and Weissach the Panamera will not only help to secure existing jobs, but will also create approximately 400 new jobs by 2009. And at the VW Plant in Hanover, the assignment by Porsche means the long-term assurance of some 500 jobs.

Furthermore, the Porsche Executive Board has reached an agreement with the Works Council of the Porsche AG Group, the Works Council of Porsche Leipzig GmbH and the IG Metall union to extend the company collective pay agreement for Porsche Leipzig GmbH for an additional five years.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, and its subsidiary, Porsche cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 300 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 213 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

 

I just lost all respect for porsche.

I don't know why - but this car actually makes me ANGRY.

The conceit of the mercedes CLS '4 door coupe' bollocks is bad enough - but they are an executive saloon manufacturer.

Porsche are SPORTS CAR manufacturers - I could forgive the cayenne - but this - arghhhhh.

Next thing we know - lamborghini will start selling SUV's



.......................... OH BUGGER !

 

I am in favor of the Panamera. Like many others here, I wanted a 4 door that handles like a Porsche and now Porsche makes it happen.

There really wasn't a strong case for Porsche to have built the SUV - who needs a great handling truck? There is a real need for the Panamera and I assume a decent number of forum members will eventually buy one, including myself, assuming Porsche doesn't go nuts with the pricing. I am hoping for a GT-derived V-10!

 

I'm also in favor of the Panamera being produced. I love the room of a sedan with the driving characteristics more to that of a sportscar. Is this not one of the factors that makes the M5 so enticing?

So, $125,000+ may not be nuts if you were also considering an Astin Martin Rapide, but that's still a little too much money for this car.

 

I'm in favor of the Panamera too .. I think it's gonna look awesome

 

i dont really like it.Not gonna buy one anyways.

Iceman316 look at your posts they are 550

 

Wow! $125,000? I may not be a Panamera buyer after all. An 80% premium over a 550i (35% vs. M5) seems a little steep.

 

I guess it looks OK-ish............but I would never buy one.

 

they already have in the past - the LM002