This post was originally published on Autocar
New ICE Macan would likely use new Audi Q5’s platform, with styling to match the new EV (pictured)
“Conceptual decisions are being made” after brand’s sales fall year-on-year
Porsche may reverse its decision to make the second-generation Macan SUV exclusively electric, amid one of the most difficult periods in the brand’s 93-year history.
The new Macan Electric was launched in July last year as Porsche’s second EV, after the Taycan GT.
While the larger Cayenne SUV was updated so that it could remain on sale in petrol form after the launch of an all-new electric version (due later this year), the petrol Macan was removed from sale in the EU in April, as it didn’t comply with new cybersecurity laws. It’s still offered in other markets, including the UK, but that’s expected to end this year.
Now Porsche insiders have told Autocar that bosses are revisiting their decision to move the company’s best-seller away from ICE power, following a 7% decline in Porsche sales globally.
The drop has been driven mostly by a downturn in sales of the Taycan, amid a wider stalling of interest in EVs. With sales falling by 50%, it was Porsche’s worst-performing model in 2024.
As such, Porsche has significantly scaled back Taycan production. Reports even suggest that it could be withdrawn from the main plant in Stuttgart, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Deputy chairman and chief financial officer Lutz Meschke has now confirmed that ICE models will remain a critical part of Porsche’s line-up for longer than previously anticipated.
Initially, Porsche aimed for EVs to account for 80% of its global sales by 2030, but this target has since been reframed to “depend on customer demand”.
“We are exploring the possibility of equipping some of the originally planned electric models with hybrid drives or internal combustion engines in the future,” said Meschke.
“Conceptual decisions are being made, but what is clear is that we are committed to the combustion engine for much longer.”
While the primary focus for extending ICE production has been the Cayenne, sources within Porsche suggest that a new ICE Macan is being reconsidered as part of a “range of product scenarios”.
“The reception to the new Macan [Electric] has been positive, but we are yet to see its long-term performance, given uncertain market conditions,” said a senior Porsche insider.
“The downturn in Taycan sales highlights new market dynamics. We cannot rely solely on traditional assumptions about consumer behaviour.”
The ICE Macan has been a hugely important product for Porsche, accounting for some 500,000 sales over its 10-year lifetime. It was also a big seller in China, a market in which Porsche’s sales dropped by almost 30% in 2024.
If Porsche does decide to reintroduce a new ICE Macan, it would mirror the approach taken by fellow Volkswagen Group brand Audi and be twinned with the Premium Platform Combustion-based third-generation Q5, which was launched alongside the new Q6 E-tron late last year Despite the uncertain market conditions globally, Porsche’s profit margin remains at a high level, hitting 14.1% during the first three quarters of 2024, with an operating profit of £3.35 billion from revenues of £23.7bn
The decision to re-evaluate its future line-up aligns with market trends in China, the world’s largest car market and EV market, where many car makers are introducing plug in hybrid or range-extender alternatives alongside EVs to cater to a broader customer base.
Porsche’s electrification plans continue to face significant challenges. Along with Taycan production being heavily cut, the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars, initially scheduled for 2025, face delays due to supply-chain issues with battery supplier Northvolt, which recently filed for bankruptcy.
Porsche declined to comment on Autocar’s report.