HIGH PANAMERA, CAYENNE SALES EQUAL TOP PORSCHE PROFITS

Porsche executives met today and decided the Cajun baby SUV will be produced at the company’s Leipzig plant in the state of Saxony. "During the production of the Cayenne and the Panamera, our Leipzig plant has impressively proved that it can produce premium vehicles of highest quality," says Matthias Müller, chairman of the Porsche AG board of management.

"The decision in favour of this location is proof of our trust in the skills and qualifications of our Leipzig associates, and at the same time another contribution to the economic advancement of the region."

The Cajun, or whatever it may end up being called, is expected to share more than just a platform with the Audi Q5. Both should dip in the same well for some engines as well, including turbo diesel ones. It will become the second SUV to come out of Porsche, following the very successful Cayenne.

According to Porsche, 20 770 Cayennes have been sold over the past five months, making up about half of total sales. The Panamera sold 9 385 and the 911 pushed 6 255 units over the same period. The rest, 4 036 cars, were made up of Caymans and Boxsters. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were reported at €688 million (R6.7 billion) for the period August to December 2010 off revenues of €3.87 billion (R37.8 billion).

Clearly the Porsche that’s chasing annual sales of 200 000 cars by 2018 has sincerely become a sedan and SUV automaker that also manufactures sports cars.