Automotive News Europe — 2024-10-10
Automotive Industry
The news adds to uncertainty about Osnabrueck factory as VW mulls plant closures in Germany.
Porsche is halting production of its Cayman and Boxster models at parent Volkswagen Group's plant in Osnabrueck, Germany, placing the factory's future at risk.
Porsche will transfer production of the two models to its main plant in Zuffenhausen, southern Germany, from Easter 2026.
The news adds to uncertainty about the Osnabrueck factory after VW bosses said in September it can no longer rule out plant closures in Germany amid slowing demand.
The Osnabrueck factory, which has a workforce of 2,300, built just over 28,000 vehicles last year and has a potential annual capacity of up to 100,000 units.
Besides the Cayman and Boxster, the factory builds the VW T-Roc Cabrio, which goes out of production next year (2025).
Porsche confirmed the decision to news outlet NDR Lower Saxony, citing weakening demand in China as the reason for the production transfer.
A VW spokesperson also confirmed Porsche's decision and linked it to business in China being "notoriously difficult" at the moment.
VW is under intense pressure to cut costs amid slowing sales and an expensive transition to electric vehicles and has issued its second profit warning in three months.
VW bought the Osnabrueck factory in 2009. It opened in 1935 and previously built the VW Karmann Ghia sports coupe.