Porsche continues diesel-car production but aims to set the bar when it comes to electrification

Today, Porsche is definitely one of the top car manufacturers when it comes to technological advancements in the automotive industry is. Not only do they offer some of the quickest cars, but they also recently came out with what we would consider as the most beautiful hybrid vehicle to date. And that is the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo. In their most recent announcement, the German automaker said that they have no plans on changing even if it is one of their biggest challenges - and they are referring to electrification.

Luz Meschke, Porsche’s finance chief, explained in a recent interview with Automotive News that they will continue working on their electrification, and that their goal is to remain hugely profitable during this process. Right now, the company is benefiting from a 15 percent profit margin.

To be able to do this, Meschke says that the company has created a strategic target. He further expounds by saying that they have to manage the company a certain way for them to be able to continuously maintain the 15 percent profit margin. However, this figure sometimes fluctuates due to several factors like exchange rates and economic crisis.

Going back to the automaker’s electrification program, Porsche will have to shell out around $3.5 million to develop new EV technologies, with the goal to become a market leader in hybridization and electrification. But do not worry if you’re not into electrified models, as Porsche will still continue to work on improving their combustion engines too. There were earlier reports that suggest the automaker will stop selling diesel engines, but that was just a rumour, and the Germans made it clear that they will continue production for as long as possible.

Meschke also said that they are keeping their options open and that they will focus on specific product decisions later on. And that this will depend on the extent to which areas electromobility works for them. In the next decade, the company plans to offer a wide range of choices for their consumers – ranging from optimized combustion engines and plug-in hybrids, to full-electric sports cars as well. In fact, the company is already preparing for a 2019 release of a first all-electric Porsche - exciting, right? And when that comes out, it will just be the beginning of a whole new era of electrified performance models. Meschke added that they would like to set standards in terms of e-mobility.

It has been two years since the first Dieselgate scandal erupted. Still, half of the automaker’s four-door car sales in Europe are diesel-powered units. It’s no wonder then that the company has decided not to discontinue producing diesel vehicles in the foreseeable future.