Porsche wants to double global sales in six years
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DETROIT -- Porsche AG plans to double sales worldwide in six years, a move that includes a significant increase in its dealership network.
Matthias Mueller, CEO of Porsche AG, says the company increased its sales 22 percent to 118,867 units worldwide in 2011, a record for the automaker. He says the company expects to double that number by 2018.
The company sold just under 29,000 vehicles in the United States in 2011, a 15 percent increase.
At the show today, Porsche unveiled the new 911 Carrera cabriolet.
Mueller says Porsche plans to increase its dealership network from around 700 to 1,000 worldwide. Mueller said he would need to “clarify with my colleague” how many of those new dealerships will be added in the United States.
Porsche, as of Jan. 1, 2011, operates 87 exclusive U.S. dealerships and has a total of 196 franchises here, according to the Automotive News data center.
“Porsche will grow significantly in the years ahead,” and “offer our customers an even broader sports car selection,” Mueller said. “Of course, the North American market will continue to play an important role in this growth.”
As part of that growth Porsche is building a new North American headquarters in Atlanta complete with a customer experience center. It will open in the fall of 2013. The company also will build second experience center in Los Angeles.
Mueller said the company expects to sell about 25,000 911s in 2012. The new cabriolet features a fabric and composite-plastic folding roof that can be operated at speeds up to 31 miles per hour.
You can reach Arlena Sawyers at asawyers@crain.com.
