‘Porsche to launch EV by the end of decade’
Porsche set to launch its first electric-powered four-seat sports car by the end of the decade, revealed Deesch Papke, chief executive officer, Porsche Middle East and Africa, in an interview with Arab News.
He urged the regional authorities to build the necessary infrastructure to support alternative fuels. Porsche is expected to launch several new models including two 911 derivatives and for the first time a Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid later in the year.
Papke said: “It takes between three and nine months to acquire a fully customized Porsche after the initial order.” He said that almost all Porsches sold in the region were customized. The Saudi market is the fourth largest in the region for Porsche and half of all sales comprise the Cayenne models.
Following is the excerpts from the interview:
Q: What new models are planned for the GCC region in the next 12 months and which model is currently the bestseller in the region?
A: We are currently waiting for the first 911 GTS models to be delivered to our markets followed by our radical two-seater 911 GT3 during the summer. In the fourth quarter of the year, we will see the first units of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid arriving in our market, as the new flagship of the Panamera model line with its 680 hp of system output and acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. Early next year, the Panamera Sport Turismo range will be introduced.
Our best-selling model remains the Cayenne but our two-door sports car business is going from strength to strength.
Q: How did the Saudi market develop in terms of sales and best-selling models in the past year and what is the projection for that market in 2017?
A: Taking into consideration the ascetic measures brought in across the Middle East to counter the decline in oil prices, last year’s performance met our targets. Saudi Arabia was our fourth-largest and third-strongest market in Panamera sales, despite the fourdoor sedan experiencing its run-out phase. The Cayenne remains the best-selling Porsche model in the Kingdom with a roughly 50 percent share across our range.
Q: Do you see any viability for electric cars in the region as of 2020 and what is needed by local authorities to make that option a reality?
A: We are currently offering several plug-in hybrid models as part of the Panamera and Cayenne range in the region. The benefit of this is that you can choose between pure electric driving, classic propulsion from the combustion engine, or a mix of both for an additional boost. Due to the lack of an extensive charging network in most of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets, I personally believe a parallel full hybrid system is the best option available today.
At the end of the decade, Porsche will be launching the first all-electric four-seat sports car in the brand’s history. It is now important for governments to take measures to support the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles by developing the necessary infrastructure. Dubai’s current network of charging stations, dedicated car parks and further substantial expansion plans can be seen as the halo project in this region. Other countries must follow.
Q: What autonomous driving features are included in the latest generation of Porsche cars?
A: One of our most complex and remarkable systems is called Porsche InnoDrive. It enhances adaptive cruise control with additional and innovative functions. With the aid of high-resolution navigation data and information supplied by radar and video sensors, Porsche InnoDrive determines speed limits and topographical road features alongthewayandmodifiesthe gearshift strategy as well as the speed of the vehicle accordingly. Sadly, due to local legislation, this system is not yet available in the GCC. Other assisting systems available in our markets are Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Night View Assist.
Q: Has the company added any enhancements recently to the aftersales experience of Porsche customers in the region? A: To achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction is one of our core focal points of the business. For aftersales, this means we conduct regular mystery shopping and customer satisfaction surveys. Only by talking to our customers, we can further enhance our services. We will continue to do this and continuously strive for further enhancement to our services.
Q: Do you measure customers’ feedback in the region and what aspects do they like in their Porsche cars? A: When we develop a relationship with a customer, for us it is a customer for life and a vehicle for life. You sell the customer their first car, give them the appropriate service and backup, and they feel they are part of the Porsche brand, ethos and family. We ask them regularly for feedback throughout their ownership journey to learn from it. We do not just sell a car to a customer, we sell a lifestyle and that is what they like the most.
Q: Does the company organize any Porsche sports events in the region for its customers?
A: Porsche has and will always be involved in supporting the local sports culture. The brand’s involvement on a local level ranges from football, golf, tennis and, of course, motorsports. We let the importers decide what works best for their respective markets. Q: How long is the waiting period for receiving a custom-built Porsche from Germany and what can the company do to shorten this period? A: Customization through Porsche Exclusive has been offering almost unlimited options for more than 25 years. The program sets us apart from other brands and we have plans to certify even more of our dealers as exclusive flagship dealers across the region.
The delivery time ranges from roughly three to nine months, depending on the level of the desired customization. Porsche is continuously looking into enhancing efficiencies by incorporating some of the individualization processes directly into the production line.
Q: What are the tastes of regional consumers in their customized Porsche cars in terms of colors and options? What ratio of buyers goes for extra options and how does that compare to other regions in the world? A: Almost every customer personalizes his or her Porsche; most of them opt to expand the equipment on the car. Through Porsche Exclusive a car can be as individual as one’s fingerprint. Choices vary from the exterior color to special leather interiors and much more. In our region, the average customer spends about 12 percent of the total vehicle costs on customization through the Porsche Exclusive program. This is well above the global average.