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Porsche to Stop Weekend Shifts Due to Weak European Demand

Porsche has announced that it will be halting weekend shifts at its biggest plant in Europe, as of next year, due to a drop in demand, which can be attributed to the expanding debt crisis currently sweeping the Old Continent. The Zuffenhausen plant will thus only be operational five days per week, at least until the economy improves, which is predicted to not happen any sooner than 2015-2016.
Porsche 1 photo
Photo: Porsche
This means that Porsche will make 10.7% fewer cars, next year - 14,543 units, according to research firm IHS Automotive. The economic situation has also affected Mercedes-Benz, forcing the automaker to reduce its S-Class output, until the new model arrives next year, also due to lowering demand - Audi has also suffered as a result, with production of the A8 and R8 being being stopped for a two whole weeks, this year.

Keeping this in mind, it’s now wonder that Mercedes-Benz is pushing further down-market, with the recently-launched A-Class, as well as the CLA, GLA and other smaller and cheaper models on their way. Porsche is also pushing for a more affordable offering, in the form of the Macan, which will probably be their cheapest car in the lineup.

Story via autonews.com
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