Best selling Porsche to be EV only

Porsche has pulled the plug on its best-selling model, going all-in on a luxury alternative to the likes of Tesla.

Porsche is confident its all-in bet on electric cars will beat the odds.

The brand has introduced a significantly more expensive EV as a replacement for its best-selling, petrol-powered Macan SUV.

Though EV sales are falling in Australia, the brand’s chief executive, Daniel Schmollinger, is certain customers will get on board.

Porsche Australia chief executive Daniel Schmollinger. Picture: Supplied

MORE: Why the new Porsche Macan represents a huge gamble

“Bringing a product that is state-of-the-art and sets new industry standards is not a risk, it’s an opportunity,” he said.

“In every aspect, the electric Macan is better than the previous one.

“From driving performance to personalisation, it offers a unique ownership experience that sets it apart.

“It’s not about what you buy, it’s about what you’re buying into.”

The slowdown in EV uptake isn’t a concern for Schmollinger, who said customers only need a test-drive to be convinced.

“It’s a task for the whole industry to show customers what it means to own an electric car and the benefits,” he said.

“For us, it’s ‘bum in the seats’.

“This has worked for us, over the past 70 years.

“You will clearly see, once you drive one, you won’t want to hand the keys back.”

MORE: Porsche brings its electric future to Australia

The 2024 Porsche electric Macan is a part of the brand’s long-term strategy towards electrification. Picture: Supplied

Porsche’s local boss said the brand is not chasing sales targets with the new model.

It starts from about $143,000 drive-away, or about $40,000 more than the outgoing petrol model.

“If you just look at the pricing, that’s a one dimensional look … you need to see what do you get for the money,” he said.

“We’re not striving for specific numbers or selling more, it’s a question on whether we have the right product.

“The answer is yes.”

MORE: Driving Australia’s quickest car on track

The all-new 2024 Porsche Macan will be more expensive than the ICE model but will offer impressive driving performance. Picture: Supplied

Porsche is set to double down on its EV strategy by revealing an electric successor to the classic Boxster convertible next year.

Schmollinger said the company is heavily invested in the tech.

“A short drop, or short-term development of the market, doesn’t change our strategy,” he said.

“We believe in electrification. Everyone [who] drives the car can see what you can do with electrification.”

- with David McCowen

Originally published as Best selling Porsche to be EV only