Porsche relies on combustion engines - consequences for Saxony unclear

After Porsche's change of course back to the combustion engine, the consequences for the plant in Leipzig remain unclear for the time being. The plant in Saxony is in close contact with the headquarters in Stuttgart, a spokeswoman explained on request. However, it is not yet possible to provide specific details. Technically, the changeover should be unproblematic, as the plant can already produce all three drive types - combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles - on one production line.

Porsche wants to turn things around

The sports car manufacturer had previously announced that it would focus more on combustion engines and plug-in hybrid drives in future due to weak electric car sales. In addition, more special and exclusive equipment is to be offered. The VW subsidiary is planning a comprehensive package of measures to overcome the crisis.

Group CEO Oliver Blume accepts that profits in relation to turnover will fall for the time being, as Porsche surprisingly announced on Thursday evening. According to preliminary figures, the company already came under noticeable pressure last year. Nevertheless, Porsche intends to continue to pay a stable dividend and keep dividend payments to shareholders constant. Porsche AG will present the detailed annual report for the previous year and more detailed plans for the coming year on March 12.

BMW stays on course for electromobility

BMW, on the other hand, continues to focus consistently on electromobility. Due to rising sales figures for fully electric vehicles, the Group sees no need to adapt its production system at the Leipzig plant. "We are continuing to focus on e-mobility and assume that we will build more electric cars this year than last year," said a company spokesperson.

According to its own figures, BMW delivered 426,594 fully electric vehicles last year - an increase of 13.5 percent. The Mini brand saw particularly strong growth with a 24.3 percent increase in sales to 56,181 all-electric vehicles. The BMW brand grew by 11.6 percent to 368,523 units.