Tuesday 21st November 2006

Porsche marks 200k Boxsters

Initial sales predictions were way out

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The 200,000th Porsche Boxster has just rolled off the production line at the facility of its manufacturing partner Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki in Finland. The vehicle, a meteor grey metallic Boxster S, is being delivered to a customer in the US.

Head of production and logistics Michael Macht said: "Ten years ago, no one would have believed what a huge success this Porsche mid-range roadster has become. Thanks to our flexible production system, we can manufacture the Boxster model series at both our main plant in Zuffenhausen and at Valmet. Today's milestone will especially inspire employees at both plants to continue the success story that is the Boxster."

At the roadster's launch in 1996, Porsche had assumed an annual production of 15,000 units. In the past fiscal year 2005/06, total sales of this model series, since extended to include the mid-range Cayman coupé, amounted to 27,906. The most important market for the Boxster is North America, which has a share of sales of around 40 per cent, followed by Germany with up to 20 per cent.

• Related story: Porsche boosts the Boxster

[darren]

That's a lot of hairdressers.

[timu23]

Yeah, it's better to drive a proper man's car isn't it?

[tvrman]

For an everyday car though it's not a bad idea, esp. with prices below the 15 grand mark....

*runs for cover*

[Koln-RS]

Porsche need volume products to maintain their independence and profitability.

The Boxster/Cayman is a terrific product and, IMO, a real 'Porsche'.

Can't say I feel quite so affectionate about the big ugly Cayenne

[mikeg996]

darren said:

That's a lot of hairdressers.

says the former owner of a Mazda 626...

[andy_s]

Great MX5 alternative/replacement.....

"Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving....etc"

[Dr S]

mikeg996 said:

darren said:

That's a lot of hairdressers.

says the former owner of a Mazda 626...

yep: list of his former cars:
2005 Peugeot 206 GTI180 (now a GTI210 with some minor fettling)
1998 Subaru WRX STI Type R
1996 Mazda 626 station wagon
1993 Mazda MX5 1.8
1992 Subaru Legacy RS RA
1986 Toyota Corona 1.8

I guess it must be the envy never having made it to be a hairdresser...

[eein]

In the last 10 years how many car have Lotus, TVR, Noble, Caterham, Westfield, even Jaguar, etc sold?

Not that I'm a fan of Porsche, just interested in putting their numbers in some form of perspective.

[timu23]

Handling all that torque steer on his 'GTI210' makes him a big hard kiwi bloke's bloke kind of a guy.

Now where did I put my curling tongs.

[johnny senna]

Dr S said:

mikeg996 said:

darren said:

That's a lot of hairdressers.

says the former owner of a Mazda 626...

yep: list of his former cars:
2005 Peugeot 206 GTI180 (now a GTI210 with some minor fettling)
1998 Subaru WRX STI Type R
1996 Mazda 626 station wagon
1993 Mazda MX5 1.8
1992 Subaru Legacy RS RA
1986 Toyota Corona 1.8

I guess it must be the envy never having made it to be a hairdresser...

I'd still take my old Boxster S over any of that lot.

[VladD]

Still not a big fan of the looks of the Boxster, but really like the Cayman. Wonder if they'll do a Cayman Targa, that would be nice.

[marsh]

Would that not be a Boxter!??!??

[scotty_917]

great car...had a 2.5 litre version when they first came out, and at the time the chassis could definitely do with more power! No doubt a proper Porsche...and let no one tell you otherwise

[collateral]

eein said:

In the last 10 years how many car have Lotus, TVR, Noble, Caterham, Westfield, even Jaguar, etc sold?

Not that I'm a fan of Porsche, just interested in putting their numbers in some form of perspective.

Haven't you heard? If a car is popular it must be rubbish!

Or something...

Never driven one but I really don't get the Boxster hate either.

Would people prefer Porsche to have gone bust while only making 911s?

[Rob_T]

darren said:

That's a lot of hairdressers.

he's right

[AlexRWD]

eein said:

In the last 10 years how many car have Lotus, TVR, Noble, Caterham, Westfield, even Jaguar, etc sold?

Not that I'm a fan of Porsche, just interested in putting their numbers in some form of perspective.

Well TVR only produced about 400 of my car, the Tamora, so whereas I've never met another Tam in mine unless on a meet, I guess the 200,000 Boxter drivers must be sick of the sight of each other!

[hoonfest]

Congrats to Porsche for this achievement and if it has helped (I'm sure it has) to keep them a float and to build further 911's then great.

Mind you there are far too many 911's around as well to make them seem that exclusive anymore, silver 911/Boxster anyone? Of course bucket loads.

The Boxster has more than proven itself in it's capabilities for sure but I just wished the styling of the Boxster had been better particularly at the back, oh and that they had never made the 2.5 slow one. As always stated, it just doesn't know which way it's going.

[ahonen]

eein said:

In the last 10 years how many car have Lotus, TVR, Noble, Caterham, Westfield, even Jaguar, etc sold?

Not that I'm a fan of Porsche, just interested in putting their numbers in some form of perspective.

At its peak period around '97/'98 TVR was making 38 cars a week, which translates into roughly 1800 cars a year.

Caterham sold around 400 a year in the same period.

[zoom_jones]

AlexRWD said:

eein said:

In the last 10 years how many car have Lotus, TVR, Noble, Caterham, Westfield, even Jaguar, etc sold?

Not that I'm a fan of Porsche, just interested in putting their numbers in some form of perspective.

Well TVR only produced about 400 of my car, the Tamora, so whereas I've never met another Tam in mine unless on a meet, I guess the 200,000 Boxter drivers must be sick of the sight of each other!

Probably, the purchasing decision is more geared around practical and reliable 2 seater brand name convertible sports car with uniqueness, individuality and originality taking a back seat (no pun intended).

[alanruss]

I can see the parallels between this and the 924 / 944 (mainly)

The 911 is a truly great car, but doesn't make them the money they need on its own if you know what I mean?