Back on June 8th 1948 Porsche presented the model 356 “no 1”, the very first Porsche prototype to receive official approval for road service. The two-seater open roadster was powered by a 40 horsepower mid-mounted air-cooled flat-4 engine with a displacement of 1.131cc. Much of the underpinnings of this model were derived from the Ferdinand Porsche Snr designed Volkswagen Beetle and would eventually evolve into the full production rear-engined 356.
The 356 saw a production run of around 76,00 vehicles, of which it is thought about half of them still exist today giving us a small insight into how important this model was in the history of the automotive industry. In 1963 Porsche presented the new 911 (which would have been called the 901 had Peugeot not already owned the rights) to replace the 356 and as we all know it continues to thrive following more than three decades of success. More recently we have the Porsche brand venture outside the conventional sportcar with the Cayenne SUV and next year we will see the new Panamera four-door coupe.
Porsche has grown into one of the most profitable automakers in the world evident by their intentions to take over the massive VW empire, but despite the enviable position Porsche has at the moment, it hasn't always been so rosy. The sportscar brand has gone through some tough times, the early nineties in particular may still be etched in the back of many minds. The dark period in their history which threatened the independence of company was soon turned around beginning with the appointment of Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking as CEO in 1992 who introduced the generic terms ‘lean management’ and ‘lean production’, seeing the sportcar manufacturer back in the black by 1995.
The rest as they say is history, read the press release below for a more in depth insight.
Exactly 60 years ago, the cornerstone was laid for a family-operated company, whose rise from modest beginnings into one of the most important sports car marques in the world no one at the time could ever have foreseen.
On June 8, 1948 a new chapter in automobile history began. For on this day, the first Porsche prototype with the vehicle identification number 356-001 received its official approval and homologation for road service. “It all started when I began looking around and just could not find my dream car. So I decided to build it myself,” said Ferry Porsche – and to this day, this genius and pioneering spirit has shaped the philosophy of the German company.
However, over the past six decades, Porsche has not only experienced peaks, but also troughs.
Yet thanks to efficient production methods, clear branding and innovative models, such as the 356 and the 911, Boxster and the Cayenne, the once small sports car specialist has quickly
transformed into one of the most successful and profitable automobile manufacturers in the world.
“Today, Porsche is stronger than ever. We have the broadest and most appealing automobile model range in the history of our company. We have our costs and our processes under control and thus ensured our independence for the long term. We have always seen ourselves as David who must stand up to the Goliaths in this industry. This self-image has shaped us throughout the years - but it has also made us successful,” explains Porsche CEO, Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking.
When Wiedeking took over management in 1992, Porsche had reached the depths of its most serious economic crisis. The company was in danger of losing its most valuable asset - its independence. Porsche was suddenly ripe for take-over. The situation had to be handled immediately. And the shareholder families, Porsche and Piëch, told the Board that they would lend their support.
Wiedeking and his Board colleagues not only produced the Boxster, but also brought about the company's turn-around through other economic measures. Under the generic terms ‘lean management’ and ‘lean production’, new organisational and production work-flows were introduced and the company's hierarchy and process structures were re-organised from top to bottom. It did not take long for the internal efforts to improve productivity and the newly-developed model line to have a positive impact. As quickly as 1995, Porsche was back in the black and began to assume a leading position by breaking new revenue, sales and earnings records annually.
Not only the balance sheet, but also the reputation of the Porsche brand reflects the company's exceptional position. For the fifth time in a row, top German managers from all industries have selected Porsche AG as the company with the best image in a survey by ‘Manager Magazin’. The prestigious ‘Initial Quality Study’ of the American research institute J.D. Power, has ranked Porsche in first place for the second time. And the J.D. Power ‘Appeal’ Study confirms that the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer has, for the third time in a row, been ranked by American customers as the most appealing brand.
Over these past 60 years, Porsche has worked very hard to achieve this special image, mainly through its most varied innovations and also, in particular, in the area of environmental protection. Porsche engineers are never satisfied with only meeting current environmental regulations passed by law-makers. It has always been their goal to exceed them. Porsche vehicles should also set an example when it comes to environmental protection. So, as early as 1966, the first authorised emissions test in Europe was performed using a 911. Not long after, a separate department was established that also tested the emission values from vehicles produced by other manufacturers.
Porsche develops new technologies not just to improve driving features, but also to continuously optimise the cars for environmental sustainability. In the last 15 years, Porsche has succeeded in reducing the fuel consumption in its new cars, and thereby also CO2 emissions, by an average of 1.7 per cent annually. With regard to engine performance, Porsche currently already ranks among manufacturers with the lowest CO2 emissions. And by 2012, the fuel consumption in Porsche vehicles is going to be reduced by a further 20 percent – new, innovative engine technologies and the hybrid drive for the Cayenne and Panamera Gran Turismo will make this possible.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder once said: “Porsche is a model for Germany.” By this, he was not only referring to the company's engineering ingenuity which the company stands for, he also meant the David principle by which Porsche, as a small automobile manufacturer, has been able to keep up with the Goliaths of its industry over the last 60 years. With the quality seal “Made in Germany”, its rejection of subsidies as well as its sense of social responsibility towards its employees and society, Porsche has unflinchingly pursued its own path.
This includes the step by Porsche towards a new future in September 2005: its majority holding in Volkswagen AG. With almost 31 per cent of the voting share capital, Porsche is now the largest shareholder in VW. During the course of this year, its share will be increased to over 50 per cent.
The goal of this path is clear: under the umbrella of Porsche Automobil Holding SE, not only will growth for Porsche and Volkswagen be ensured thanks to their proven development and production partnership over the decades, but also the independence of both companies. And the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking promises that in the anniversary year of the Porsche sports car; “Porsche will remain Porsche in the future. Just as Volkswagen will remain Volkswagen. That is the recipe for success.”
I thought so long that look of the Porsche Carrera models is kept as a best design heritage they have but it is just happened to be a narrowness of wiew and design disability.
it is remarkable to note that Porsche used to design and manufacture automobiles with uncomplicatedly minimalist lines that honestly convey beauty in all its purity as this 356 Model 01 manifests. sadly , at these times , Porsche's automotive intentions are not much different from that of a streetwalker who struts around parading its ostentatious ,tarted-up looks starting with that vulgar,,,gaping-wide,,,ostentatious,,, air intakes married to a bodyshell replete with tacky sheet metal geometry.
