Porsche to Add Three Models to the Range

Still engulfed in a bitter fight for survival, German manufacturer Porsche may get a boost of confidence thanks to its new CEO, Martin Winterkorn. The CEO thinks one of the ways for Porsche to get back on track is to ad some new models to the range, without however damaging Porsche's identity.

"A Porsche should remain a Porsche," he was quoted as saying by Manager Magazine. That means the manufacturer will not go back to the 1970s and create a VW-Porsche vehicle. The company's new line would include a Porsche smaller than the Boxster, a smaller version of the Cayenne and another version of the soon to be launched Panamera.

New models added to the range would of course mean Porsche will also increase production. As it already announced, the manufacturer has its sights set on increasing output to 150,000 units a year by 2012 or 2013. By 2018, a year when Volkswagen aims to become the no.1 carmaker in the world, Porsche may have an output reaching as much as 200,000 units. Compare this to the around 75,000 units expected to be sold this year...

Winterkorn, who was appointed in his current position on August 14, following the ousting of Wendelin Wiedeking, will be the CEO of the combined Porsche-VW group until 2011, but he does not rule out the possibility to extend it beyond that year should his services be still required.

"If I remain in good health and am still wanted, I can imagine staying longer. There is a lot to do," he told the source.