Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Renault committed to stronger alliance with Nissan, chairman says
      Stellantis has positive stock market debut after FCA-PSA merger
      Audi idles 10,000 staff on chip shortage
      Spotlight will find low-key Tavares as he takes over new empire at Stellantis
    • Stellantis has positive stock market debut after FCA-PSA merger
      Audi idles 10,000 staff on chip shortage
      Fiat Chrysler and PSA complete merger to become Stellantis
      Dacia-Lada business unit will unleash brands' power, Renault execs say
    • Ford, Audi, Daimler reduce German output on chip supply shortages
      Airline chief to head Swedish bearings maker SKF
      Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      LG Magna-MAIN_i.jpg
      At CES, Magna touts new deal with LG
    • Dacia-Lada business unit will unleash brands' power, Renault execs say
      Renault to follow Peugeot, VW in seeking higher transaction prices
      Renault to boost low-volume Alpine brand with 3 EVs
      view gallery
      8 photos
      Dacia Bigster
    • Mercedes badge_1.jpg
      Mercedes meets European CO2 target with late-year surge in EV sales
      EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      VW to link bonuses to social targets
      New EU 'green-washing' rules will force automakers to be transparent
    • Stellantis seeking new joint venture in China, reports say
      Russia's new-car sales fall 2% in December
      FCA-PSA merger adds uncertainty to Peugeot's return to U.S., brand chief says
      Benz plant in Beijing.jpg
      Mercedes, Audi, BMW post record China deliveries
    • Renault names motorcycle team boss Brivio to lead Alpine F1 team
      Airline chief to head Swedish bearings maker SKF
      Renault names former Google exec to run Alpine brand
      Bentley's top designer, Sielaff, to leave; may join Geely
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Latest Launches
    • Analyst's View
    • Segment Analysis
    • Europe By The Numbers
    • EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      European car retailing poised for shake-up as 'agency' model gains support
      How Europe will become an EV battery powerhouse
      VW, Ford stumbles force rethink of how to best use social media
    • Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      Tavares: Keeping PSA, FCA merger on track an 'incredible' achievement
      Renault CEO outlines ambitious revival plan
      Why Rolls-Royce boss expects to be profitable despite COVID
    • Veoneer boss expects to reach key milestone this quarter
      How Faurecia aims to become a hydrogen leader
      How Yanfeng gave the car interior a brain
      FCA suppliers in Europe at risk from switch to PSA platform, experts say
    • Chinese EV maker Xpeng outlines Europe rollout plan
      Arrival Van.jpg
      How Arrival intends to disrupt the delivery van market
      Polestar 2's performance, convenience offset range anxiety
      Nio ET7-MAIN.jpg
      Nio debuts first electric sedan
    • BENTAYGAHYBRID-MAIN_i.jpg
      Bentley freshens Bentayga Hybrid
      BMW 4-Series Coupe breaks free from sedan sibling
      Hyundai counts on new Tucson to become its Europe top-seller
      Dacia turns to familiar playbook for all-new Sandero
    • Pandemic forces automakers to focus on brand, conserve cash
      Why prospects for dealer mergers have improved
      Dacia-level price discipline needed to end margin slump in Europe, expert says
      How infotainment systems are taking over the vehicle cockpit
    • Wagons hold market share, but costly EV shift looms
      Electrification gains speed in Europe's key compact segment
      Hybrids beat the market; sales expected to top 1 million in 2022
      Plug-in hybrids set for rapid rise but trouble looms
    • Russia's new-car sales fall 2% in December
      Europe sales by model, Nov. and 11 months: Audi A3, Jeep Compass rise; Toyota Yaris surprises
      Top 10 sellers by market, 11 months: Skoda a top 5-seller in 13 countries
      Russia's new-car sales rise for second straight month
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
    • Polestar 2's performance, convenience offset range anxiety
      Bosch, Continental battle to supply the brain of the connected car
      Why the ID5 is VW's true rival to the Tesla Model Y
      Volvo, Daimler CEOs praised for leading push to computerize cars
    • Understanding the impact of design on marketing, brand and user experience
      Ex-Aston Martin CEO Palmer calls on UK to intensify battery commitment
      Why Apple must target the $230B luxury car market
      Apple car: Who will build it? Magna Steyr possible candidate
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      Dacia Bigster
      view gallery
      8 photos
      Renault 5 concept
      view gallery
      15 photos
      Toyota Mirai 2021
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Fiat Tipo Cross
    • koenigsegg-gemera-front-quarter-passenger-01.jpg
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Koenigsegg Gemera
      view gallery
      21 photos
      Fiat New 500
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Aston Martin V12 Speedster
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Audi A3 Sportback 2020
    • At the Beijing show, sales rebound and EV boom mix with murky outlook
      3BEIJING-MAIN_i.jpg
      Beijing show to highlight competition for local EV makers
      Beijing auto show delayed due to coronavirus
      Maserati will unveil Ghibli hybrid at Beijing show
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Renault Captur
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 53
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Seat Tarraco
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota Corolla station wagon
    • view gallery
      4 photos
      Nio ET Preview
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Infiniti Qs Inspiration concept
      view gallery
      5 photos
      BMW 3-series LWB
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Mini Clubman
  • Maps
    • E-Car & Component Map of Europe
    • Powertrain Map of Europe
    • Assembly Plant Map of Europe
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress Conversations
    • ANE Shift
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • ANE Leading Women
    • Watch Again
      • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
      • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
      • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
      • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
    • Meet the 2020 winners
    • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automakers
March 19, 2019 09:24 AM

Porsche production boss readies leap into EVs

Christiaan Hetzner
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Porsche's first full-electric vehicle will be the Taycan SUV, based on the Mission-e concept (pictured).

    Porsche is gearing up to launch the Taycan full-electric sedan, which it promises will be the first of many battery-driven cars to come. Executives expect to largely transfer the bulk of the automaker’s product range to electric drivetrains by the end of the next decade. Production boss Albrecht Reimold. explained how to Automotive News Europe Correspondent Christiaan Hetzner.

    How are the preparations for the Taycan launch proceeding?

    The buildings have all been constructed. The manufacturing equipment is in place and we are in the process of transitioning to the pre-production “zero series,” the final stage before assembly begins for real. 

    Will the Taycan start rolling off the production line in September?

    That is correct. We are all working hard to ensure we hit our production date and currently everything remains on schedule. By the end of the year we will deliver the first models and come early 2020 we expect our Zuffenhausen plant [near Stuttgart] will be running at full capacity to meet the brisk demand.

    What still needs to be done?

    Now it’s just a matter of making fine corrections and optimizing the process to reduce the hours per vehicle, aspects such as in which sequence the screws should be fastened or how individual parts are picked out of storage bins and installed. That is our job every day in production management, constantly looking for new ways to improve the internal workflows on the assembly line.

    Is a Taycan more challenging to build than a conventional car?

    Constructing the load-bearing structures, joining the various parts together, painting the finished bodies -- all that is the same. It’s more of an evolutionary change with the only major difference to a conventional car being the high-voltage electrical system, for which employees have to be trained, often for several weeks. A battery is not like a fuel tank that can be handled at all times. As soon as the system is charged, certain safety protocols have to be followed.

    How much have you invested in your Zuffenhausen plant?

    About 700 million euros was earmarked for the production of the Taycan. But we have also invested 300 million for the upcoming eighth-generation 911.

    Are there any production synergies between the Taycan and the 911 and 718 model lines?

    We have a combined body shop with specific, dedicated steps for each. The Taycan will have its own dedicated paint shop, but we took precautions that our two sports car models can be painted there as well. The opposite wouldn’t work, however, because of the dimensions. Final assembly is also flexible enough that, in theory, we could build 911s on the Taycan line.

    Meet the production boss

    Name: Albrecht Reimold

    Title: Porsche Board Member for Production

    Age: 58

    Main Challenge: Ensuring the ramp up of the Taycan EV goes smoothly.

     

    Now that Porsche leads parent Volkswagen Group’s Sport Luxury Brand Group can we expect to see Bentleys or Lamborghinis built at plants alongside your vehicles?

    To a degree we are already doing that in Bratislava, where the bodies for the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga SUVs are built alongside the Porsche Cayenne.

    Automakers that build EVs in China are no longer required to have a JV partner. Would it make sense for Porsche and Audi to build EVs there?

    We listen very closely to what our Chinese customers prefer. They continue to want their Porsches made in Europe, and ideally in Zuffenhausen.

    VW brand will build its EVs in Europe entirely carbon-free. Is that something Porsche would like to emulate?

    We are constantly thinking about ways to make our manufacturing process more environmentally friendly. We started with regenerative power and are now in the process of making our Taycan production entirely CO2 neutral. We are also testing a coating on our building facades that breaks down ambient nitrogen oxides in the air. Our vision is a zero-impact factory by 2025.

    AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

    This story is from Automotive News Europe's latest monthly magazine. To view the new issue, as well as past issues, click here.

     

     

     

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Renault committed to stronger alliance with Nissan, chairman says
    Recommended for You
    Renault committed to stronger alliance with Nissan, chairman says
    Renault committed to stronger alliance with Nissan, chairman says
    Stellantis has positive stock market debut after FCA-PSA merger
    Stellantis has positive stock market debut after FCA-PSA merger
    Audi idles 10,000 staff on chip shortage
    Audi idles 10,000 staff on chip shortage
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • 2020 Media Kit
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Frankfurt Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Latest Launches
      • Analyst's View
      • Segment Analysis
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Maps
      • E-Car & Component Map of Europe
      • Powertrain Map of Europe
      • Assembly Plant Map of Europe
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress Conversations
        • Watch Again
          • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
          • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
          • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
          • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
      • ANE Shift
      • ANE Rising Stars
        • Meet the 2020 winners
        • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
      • ANE Eurostars
      • ANE Leading Women
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us