It was not so long ago that news was advanced that the Porsche Taycan it could have been a flop — fewer than 5,000 units delivered in the first six months of the year raised alarms. We now know, from an unlikely source, that this is not the case at all.
Statements by an Audi spokesperson to the German publication Automobilwoche (part of Automotive News) reveal a completely different picture.
To meet the high demand for the Porsche electric, 400 Audi employees will move from its plant in Neckarsulm to that of Zuffenhausen (the Taycan production site) over a two-year period , so as to rise (a lot) the production numbers. The transfer of employees began last June and will continue over the next few months.
How high is the demand?
Porsche originally stated that it would produce 20,000 Taycans a year. With this addition of 400 employees from Audi and an additional 500 employees that Porsche had to hire, production will double to 40,000 Taycans per year . According to a Porsche spokesperson:We are currently producing over 150 Taycans per day. We are still in the production ramp-up phase.
The justification for so few Taycans delivered so far may be related, above all, to the disruption caused by Covid-19. It is worth remembering that Porsche was one of the few car manufacturers to make profits in the first half of 2020 thanks, according to its officials, to the robust sales of the Taycan, 911 Turbo and 911 Targa.
Taycan Cross Tourism postponed
To meet the high demand for the Taycan, and also as a consequence of the disruption caused by the Covid-19, Porsche meanwhile postponed the launch of the Taycan Cross Turismo, the van/crossover version.
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Initially scheduled for later this year, the new variant will now be unveiled in early 2021.
Audi e-tron GT
After Audi's loan period for employees to Porsche has ended, they will return to the Neckarsulm factory with accumulated experience in the production of electric cars.
Experience that will not be wasted as it is the production site of the future Audi e-tron GT , a 100% electric saloon “sister” to the Porsche Taycan. It will use the same J1 platform, as well as the same cinematic chain as the Stuttgart tram.
The production of the e-tron GT will start at the end of this year, keeping the original plans.
Source: Automobilwoche.