Porsche pulls out of Tokyo Motor Show – Not a huge surprise here, but Porsche, along with Maserati, is the latest brand to pull out of the Tokyo Motor Show. That’s now 22 foreign brands listed as No Shows. Even Japan’s 4 largest truck makers are not coming to the show in their own backyard. Could be the end of auto shows as we know them, which isn’t all bad in my opinion. They’re fun, but I think there’s more creative ways to enhance a brand that is more financially efficient. [Via Autoblog.com]
After a squabble, VW and Porsche are back on track to create an “integrated company” – I thought initially, out of naivety I’m sure, that this deal might actually happen pretty quickly. After all, how dissimilar are Porsche and VW? Evidently it’s not a good thing I’m in charge of the merger, because I was dead wrong. Looks like this one is going to be a bit of a roller coaster ride. I bet the deal still comes together though. [Via Chattanooga Times Free Press]
Porsche joins ‘green’ scrappage scheme – This is a British program, but struck me as funny. Basically it’s a program to replace older cars on the road by offering taxpayer-funded payments to people who buy a new car. Only the new car doesn’t have to be more efficient or environmentally friendly. For instance, in the article they mention that if a person scraps their 1999 VW Lupo (a small version of the Golf) and buys a 2009 Bentley Arnage (a $225,000+ car), they would receive a £1,000 refund. Nevermind that the Bentley produces over 5 times the amount of CO2 as the VW. Much less why a person who could afford a Bentley would care about a £1,000 payment or would even be driving a VW in the first place. Struck me as a funny example for them to use. Course maybe it’s poking fun at a funny program. Then again, maybe it’s just a “British thing.” [Via ETA.co.uk]
2009 Porsche Cayman review – I ran across a short review a guy wrote up about the Porsche Cayman. A funny style that was short and to the point. Worth reading about his experience in the “arrest-me-now Porsche.” [Via Driving.ca]
Lufthansa speeds up “Porsche” style – Porsche Consulting GmbH is helping Lufthansa Technik speed up the time-consuming process of overhauling aircraft. They’ve cut the general overhaul of a wide-bodied Airbus A 340-300 by 10 days from 36 to 26. Pretty amazing that principles originating in auto manufacturing could apply to what seems like a much more complex and larger industry. But hey, we’re talking about Porsche afterall! [Via AutoChannel.com]
i think the Lufthansa deal is the most interesting of these topics.
it says a lot about their brand, their rep, their science and tech.
cool.
I think that’s Britain’s version of a stimulus plan. Sounds efficient and effective.
It is a little surprising to hear about no-shows at the auto show, but I guess when you think about it, maybe it does make sense. I love seeing all the different cars at an auto show, but I have only been to one show in the last 5-6 years. By now, I pretty much know what I want when buying a car so I know where to go to get it.
Porsche and VW aren’t as dissimilar as you may think – for many years there’s already been a bit of a technology over-lap with the high end VWs and the entry level Porsches.
Good little article about the Cayman S. For those of you interested, I did the calculation and it seems as though when cruising at 74mph he was getting well over 30mpg (assuming my calculations were correct). Seems great to me.
And is it just me, or does anyone else prefer the Cayman to the Boxster? I am not a big fan of the Box, but I really like the Cayman. Weird?
Looks like VW wants to show their value and make Porsche sweat a little bit before they just roll over and become ‘owned’ by Porsche. Probably a lot of proud workers at VW.
busy week for those guys.
Andrew, 30MPG.. that is awesome!
auto shows are fun,but don’t usually change people’s brand loyalty.
I thought lufthansa would be adding some porsche quality to their interiors…quite crappy planes.
Also, who ever goes to auto shows for the cars??
Auto shows are important – and probably somewhat cost effective with all of the press they get – for companies like Hyundai and Kia who have completely transformed themselves into decently well respected automakers over the last 5 years. I agree that for companies like Porsche they are just a venue to show off and, as such, are a cost sink.
The green scrappage scheme is funny. Are they trying to boost the economy or go green. I am confused. Actually those Brits do some crazy things… Watch out – we may be doing it soon over here.