Although the economic climate in both Europe and America may best be described as “less-than-ideal,” sales of high-end sports cars grew in 2011. Lamborghini’s global sales increased by 23-percent last year, while Italian rival Ferrari sold a record 7,195 automobiles in 2011, an increase of nearly 9.5-percent.
Porsche increased its sales, revenue and profitability in 2011 as well, and appears to be well on its way towards achieving goals set under its “Strategy 2018” business plan. Last year, the Stuttgart-based automaker sold 116,978 units, an increase of 21-percent from 2010 and steady progress towards its Strategy 2018 goal of 200,000 annual sales.
Revenue increased by 18-percent in 2011, rising to 10.9 billion euros ($14.2 billion), while operating profit jumped by 22-percent to exceed 2 billion euros ($2.6 billion). Porsche’s return on sales of 18.7-percent surpassed even that of Ferrari, who enjoyed a 14.1-percent return on sales last year, among the highest in the industry.
The growth in sales, as well in as the introduction of new or significantly revised models, increased Porsche’s workforce by 16-percent last year, with 15,307 employees now on the books. Porsche expects to reach 20,000 employees worldwide by 2018.
For 2012, Porsche will continue to roll out new variants of its retooled 911, and will introduce new Boxster and Cayman models as well. Its Leipzig, Germany plant is adding a third shift to cope with increasing worldwide demand for Panamera and Cayenne models.
Porsche's Leipzig plant is also undergoing a major expansion, in preparation for the 2014 launch of Porsche’s new compact SUV, the Macan.