At Porsche's Leipzig plant 100,000th latest generation Cayenne rolls off production line

The 100,000th second generation Cayenne was assembled in Leipzig just a few days ago. At the same time, this anniversary is considered as the curtain raiser for an eventful anniversary year at Porsche’s Saxony site. “Ten years ago the success story of Porsche Leipzig started. What was a greenfield site, today ranks among the most modern carplants in the world. In addition to the Cayenne, Leipzig is also where Porsche produces the very successful Panamera luxury saloon, approximately 70,000 units of which have now rolled off the production line. That is why more than 93,800 vehicles left the Porsche plant in Leipzig in 2011, more than in any year before”, says Wolfgang Leimgruber, Executive Board members of Production and Logistics of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.

The 100,000th Cayenne is being made ready this very day for shipping to Brazil, where the SUV in “pure white” with a V8 engine will be handed over to its new owner. The Cayenne is being sold in more than 124 markets in currently five model variants spanning a power range from 180 kW (245 hp) to 368 kW (500 hp) and an average fuel consumption ranging from 7.2 to 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The second generation of the Cayenne has been produced in Leipzig since 2009 with the sports car manufacturer delivering over 360.00 units of the first generation to customers since 2002.

“Because of the consistently high demand for the Cayenne and Panamera we will be introducing a third production shift in Leipzig at the end of January. With the new production sequence, 500 vehicles on average will be produced each day,” Leimgruber adds. The introduction of a three shift operation is only one of many challenges in the near future. Building work for a major expansion of the plant is currently underway. A paint shop and body assembly line for an entirely new model line that will start to come off the Leipzig production line from the end of 2013 onward are among the facilities being built on a 17 hectare site. Porsche is investinga total of 500 million euro in the production site in Saxony for assembly of the Cajun, creating more than 1,000 new jobs.

Siegfried Bülow, President and Chief Executive Officer, explains: “2012 will therefore be an eventful and exciting year in many respects. We are welcoming many new employees, holding topping-out ceremonies on the new site, celebrating the 500,000th Porsche “Made in Leipzig” and last but not least the tenth production anniversary.”