Porsche Taycan avoids axe, electric Boxster and Cayman still going ahead

The Porsche Taycan will not be among a raft of Volkswagen Group models tipped to be axed as the German automaker streamlines its business to stem losses, with Porsche also confirming the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars remain on track.

Speaking to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Porsche CEO Michael Leiters said the Taycan will remain in production "in the short term" but with a reduced number of model variants, following reports the Volkswagen Group plans to halve model lineups across its brands as it cuts costs and aims to reduce its workforce, reportedly by up to 100,000 jobs by 2030.

The previously reported plan included dropping models such as the Audi Q5 Sportback, Skoda Fabia and Cupra Raval EV, as well as Porsche's first dedicated production electric vehicle, the Taycan.

"Model streamlining doesn't necessarily mean discontinuing entire model series. Often, it's about eliminating variants," Mr Leiters told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

"We've already started doing that. With the Taycan, we will further reduce the number of models [variants] and thus decrease complexity.

"We have no plans to discontinue the Taycan in the short term. We've invested heavily in the model and want to monitor how demand develops."

The Taycan was previously reported to be a potential casualty due to slowing global sales, despite a recent 2027 update introducing E-Shift virtual gear changes and a revised Electronic Sports Sound artificial engine note system.

In Australia, 54 Taycans were sold during the first six months of 2026, well over the number of sales attracted by the petrol- and hybrid-powered Panamera, which recorded 30 deliveries in the same period.

Mr Leiters also confirmed that the all-electric next-generation 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars, due in 2027, remain part of Porsche's future model plan, contrary to a report in February saying the project would be axed.

"With the electric 718, we came to the conclusion that we will build the model – because it is the best solution economically and will be a fantastic car," the Porsche boss said.

The electric 718 is expected to be based on Porsche's 800V Premium Platform Electric Sport (PPE Sport) architecture, which will reportedly also underpin an electric sports car from Audi, previewed by the Concept C.

However, Mr Leiters made no mention of the "top ICE [internal combustion-engined] derivatives" of the new 718 range that Porsche promised in September 2025.

Production of the previous 982-series 718 models ended for Australia last year and for other markets in November 2025, but Porsche's announcement the following month led to speculation the new electric Boxster and Cayman would be joined by naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat six-powered GTS, Boxster Spyder RS and Cayman GT4 RS flagships, which would reportedly follow the 911 in adopting hybrid powertrains.

Porsche delivered just under 280,000 cars globally in 2025 (down from a record 310,718 in 2024), of which 22.2 per cent were fully electric and an additional 12.1 percent were plug-in hybrids. 

Since then it announced 9000 job cuts as it looks to generate billions of euros in savings as part of its new 'Sports Car Factory 2035' strategy.

Despite Porsche's reduced workforce (other German automakers including BMW have also recently announced job cuts), the famed performance car brand's strategy under Mr Leiters will focus on two priorities.

The first is building "the sportiest cars in every segment", while the second centres on production craftsmanship and "down-to-earth values".

This includes guaranteeing remaining employees job security until 2035, with the company committed to keeping its manufacturing base in Germany despite increasingly challenging market conditions.

"We produce largely in Germany and, due to our smaller size, cannot expand our production into the target markets. Consequently, we have fewer alternatives and must find our own solutions."

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