Most successful quarter in Porsche history

Porsche recently announced its first quarter 2018 results on April 13.Worldwide sales were up 61 TP2T from the previous year to approximately 63,500 units, making it the most successful quarter in Porsche's history.It is said that the number of vehicles sold increased by 8% over the previous year. In Europe, more than 20,600 cars were sold, equivalent to an increase of 81 TP2T over the previous year, and in the German market, more than 7,700 cars were sold, up 81 TP2T over the previous year. In the Chinese market, 18,600 units were sold, up 3% over last year's results.

The most successful model was the Macan, with more than 23,000 units sold worldwide. Sales of the Panamera and 911 were also strong, and in the U.S. market, the Panamera was the most successful model, selling more than 23,000 units.Panamera sales results for 2017 up 200% over last yearThe result is that.

A 2001 TP2T increase is amazing... As for the 911, over 9,600 units were sold in this quarter, an increase of 351 TP2T over the previous year.

Source.Most Successful January-March New Car Sales in Porsche History 63,478 units

How's it going in Japan?

Then it occurred to me. I know that overall Porsche sales were strong. Then, what about the

What were the sales results in Japan?

Expecting that "if this is the most successful quarter in Porsche's history, it must have sold quite well in Japan," I looked for any mention of Japan in the article, but could not find it. However, I could not find any mention of Japan in the article.

Porsche AG - January-March 2018 New Vehicle Sales
Worldwide: 63,478 units (+6% YoY)
Europe: 20,601 units (+8% YoY)
China: 18,672 units (+3% YoY)
U.S.A.: 13,954 units (+101 TP2T over the previous year)
Germany: 7,724 units (+8% over the previous year)
Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East: 26,279 units (+31 TP2T vs. previous year)

Japan is lumped into the "Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East" category.

...I mean, that's a big area to lump together.

My husband alwaysThis model is sold in Europe, but never made it to Japan."Porsche headquarters is not focusing on the Japanese market.I felt like I was being shown it in stark contrast to his blurting it out.

How did Porsche Japan perform?

However, I am not sure what is actually going on, even if they are all lumped together, so I did some research on Porsche Japan.

Porsche Japan is celebrating its 20th anniversary in January 2018. Initially, 911(Type 996)and Boxster(Type 986)The company started by handling two models, the Cayenne, Panamera, and Macan, and later introduced the Cayenne, Panamera, and Macan. 2017 sales were approximately 7,000 units.(One article stated that there were 7,322 units in 2016.)This level is 4.5 times higher than the 1,487 units at the time of its establishment.

In the Japanese market, 2-door sports cars such as the 911 and Boxster account for 40% of total sales and are among the best in the world. In addition, the Macan accounts for 30% of new car sales and is the driving force behind the company's business performance.
*Source.Porsche Japan celebrates its 20th anniversary this year!

I would think that a 4.5-fold increase in sales to about 7,000 units in 20 years of existence would be amazing...Compared to the 28317 new vehicles sold in 2017 in the home country of Germany, this would be an assessment that we are not quite there yet.I guess.

Why is the Panamera not selling as well in Japan as it does overseas?

It says, "Sales of the new Panamera are strong in Japan," but it doesn't mention the actual number of units sold or the percentage of total sales, which is a selfish guess that it's not quite there yet....I've been trying to figure out why the Panamera sells so many in the US and Europe, but not as well in Japan as it does overseas.

1) Japan has many 911 fans.

We often hear that there are many fans in Japan who say, "When I think of Porsche, I think of the 911! In the articleJapan is one of the world's top markets for two-door sports cars, such as the 911 and Boxster, which account for 40% of total sales.It is written. Such a fan might take it as "a luxury sedan presented by Porsche, the Panamera, is a wicked idea.

(2) The perception that "Panamera is a sports car" is not widespread.

The Panamera is often compared to the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but I consider them completely different.The Panamera is not "a luxury sedan with sporty elements" but "a sports car that started out as a sports car in the first place.

Goro Okazaki also said about this andThis articleIt was also written in the

The Panamera is a sports car and is truly a larger version of the 911.It's a sports car that a family of four can relax in and enjoy driving."However, I don't think that this fact has been communicated to the world very well yet.

3) SUVs and minivans are popular in Japan

In Japan, there are many SUVs and minivans that can carry a lot of luggage and accommodate five or more people. When I went to Germany, I didn't see minivans at all... I also feel that there is inevitably an image of "minivans as SUVs = young people, sedans = old people"...(-_-).

As for Porsche, Cayenne and Macan are seen more often than Panamera on the streets. When I tell people that the Panamera can also carry quite a bit of luggage, and the rear seats are spacious and comfortable, they tend to shy away from the "four-seater" model, I guess.

Size (4) is large.

The Panamera is really big. On the other hand, Japanese roads are narrow and parking spaces are tight. In addition, parking spaces for homes and apartments are often less than 1900 mm. This would lead to the conclusion that the Panamera is too large for actual daily use. This may be unavoidable.

Panamera, once you drive it, you will understand.

I don't think writing "ah-ha" here will convey the message well, but anyway, if you are at all interested in the Panamera, I suggest you test drive one. If you do soThe image of luxury sedans will change 180 degrees.

However, recently, due to emission regulations and other factors, Tesla's sales are increasing at a rate that overwhelms the Panamera, even in the home country of Germany.(I wonder if Porsche is also focusing on developing plug-in hybrids or Mission E.)I would like to test drive a Tesla soon and feel the difference between it and the Panamera.