Porsche builds 25,000th Panamera Gran Turismo at German plant

Porsche's approximately 640 employees at the company's state-of-the-art assembly plant in Leipzig, Germany, recently built the 25,000th Panamera Gran Turismo. The employees are not only proud to be a significant part of the successful launch of Porsche's fourth model line, they have reached this milestone while also producing the all-new, next-generation 2011 Porsche Cayenne SUV that is now in North American Porsche dealerships.

The anniversary vehicle, a Ruby Red Panamera sporting an efficient Porsche designed and manufactured 300-horsepower 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, will be delivered to a customer in the USA. "The benchmark performance of our Panamera V6 models wins over our customers worldwide," said Bernhard Maier, Porsche's executive vice president for sales and marketing. "Even in the USA, a country with a preference for V8 engines, they impress with their efficiency and sportiness. The Panamera combines these aspects with the comfort and exclusivity of the luxury class."

Porsche began selling the Panamera in September 2009 (October in North America). The company first rolled out its 400-horsepower V8 Panamera S and Panamera 4S and the 500-horsepower twin-turbocharged Panamera Turbo, adding the V6-powered Panamera and Panamera 4 in May/June 2010. To date U.S. Porsche dealers have sold over 5,000 Panamera models in the United States.

In line with the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy -- more performance on less fuel, increased efficiency and lower CO2 emissions -- all models feature the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed double-clutch gearbox and the Auto Start Stop function that saves fuel and reduces emissions by turning the engine off when it is not needed, such as sitting at a traffic light. None are subject to a gas-guzzler tax, and all meet the strict EU5 emission standard in Europe and the LEV standard in the United States.

Next year Porsche will introduce a Panamera model featuring a hybrid drive system similar to what powers the 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid, which goes on sale this fall. Porsche's future also shines with yesterday's announcement to commence series development of the 918 Spyder, Porsche first plug-in hybrid super sports car.

Since its U.S. introduction in October 2009, the Panamera has received numerous awards and recognition. The Panamera Turbo was named Playboy Magazine's 2010 Car of the Year. Others include an Edmunds Inside Line Editors' Most Wanted Award, inclusion in Edmunds.com's Top Recommended Vehicles list, two Car and Driver Editors Choice Awards (Sports Sedans and Luxury Sedans), inclusion in kbb.com's list of 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Cars, Bloomberg Car of the Year, the Most Inspired Design award in Ward's Auto Interior of the Year competition, About.com Cars Best New Cars of 2010, and NADAguides.com's Car of the Month for January 2010.

About Porsche Cars North America Inc.
Porsche Cars North America Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., is the exclusive importer of Porsche vehicles for the United States. PCNA is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. It employs 213 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 199 dealers. The dealers, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service. Throughout its more than six-decade history, Porsche has developed numerous technologies that have advanced vehicle performance, improved safety and spurred environmental innovations within the automotive industry. The company continues to celebrate its heritage by adding to its long list of motorsports victories dating back to its first 24 Hours of Le Mans class win in 1951. Today, with more than 28,000 victories, Porsche is recognized as the world's most successful brand in sports car racing. PCNA, which imports the iconic 911 series, the highly acclaimed Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, high-end Cayenne sport utility vehicles and the four-door Panamera Gran Turismos, strives to maintain a standard of excellence, commitment and distinction synonymous with its brand. 

Porsche Leipzig employees built the 25,000th Panamera. They also build the 2011 Cayenne SUV. (PRNewsFoto/Porsche Cars North America, Inc., Dirk Michael Deckbar)