Porsche Powertrain Boss Arrested Over Diesel Emissions Scandal

Well, that's not great (for Porsche).

Following investigations earlier this week, German police have arrested Porsche’s powertrain development boss as part of ongoing investigations into Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal. According to Reuters, Joerg Kerner is being held on remand as he is seen as a potential flight risk after prosecutors searched 10 premises in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg as part of their inquiries into Porsche's involvement into the ongoing Volkswagen emissions scandal.

Kerner originally joined Audi from Robert Bosch in 2004. He’s the man responsible for building up Audi's engine and transmission electronics design and software development division, where it’s believed that the software that enabled VW to rig up to 11 million diesel engines to hide high emissions was first developed.Additionally, Kerner worked closely with VW Group's former top engineer Wolfgang Hatz, who was arrested lastyear,and was regarded as the confidant of former Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Mueller, who was also previously Porsche’s CEO. The latest arrest has resulted from information given to prosecutors by former Audi manager Giovanni Pamio.

The engine developer has been a steady source of information and has testified against colleagues as a key prosecution witness. For its part, Porsche is denying the allegations with Porsche CEO Oliver Blume vowing to do what it can to clear up the matter. Earlier this year, prosecutors widened an investigation of Audi, which was responsible for developing the illicit software used on 3.0-liter V6 diesel engines that was equipped in roughly 80,000 VW, Audi and Porsche models.

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Is Porsche Bringing Diesel Back?

The latest German automaker to defend diesel.

Just because Porsche is pumping billions of dollars into its electric programs doesn't mean the company has any intention of abandoning diesel engines, contradicting earlier statements. Porsche’s Chairman of the Executive Board, Oliver Blume, says the company has declared it is 100 percent committed to keeping the ICE alive because it will remain an integral part of the industry for the foreseeable future. Blume then emphasized that Porsche considers the demand for diesel engines to be very much alive.

“Porsche does not develop or manufacture its own diesel engines, and there are no plans to change that in the future,” said Blume. “All the same, there’s no reason to just suddenly abandon diesel.” Porsche’s commitment to diesel engines is for the same reason its rivals are equally addicted; diesel engines generally produce less CO2 emissions than gasoline ones, which is important to achieving mandated CO2 emission target. Only 14 percent of Porsche vehicles sold worldwide feature an oil burner, but it's enough, especially in places like Europe where diesel equipped Panameras, Cayennes, and Macans are popular.

“There are many markets, such as in Southern Europe, where people really don’t understand Germany’s current discussion about the future of diesel. There, 80 percent of customers buy a diesel car,” Blume elaborated. But even Porsche knows the day will come when internal combustion is no longer viable. Blume even goes so far as to put a number on it, according to the chairman, the last ICE-powered Porsche will probably be released in 2030. Claiming it would happen faster if not for technical, structural, and economic factors holding up the process.

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Porsche Officially Kills Off All Diesel Vehicles From Its Lineup

Goodbye oil burners. Hello electrification.

Last summer we learned Porsche was strongly considering dropping diesel engines entirely from its lineup following the fiasco of Dieselgate. Fortunately, Porsche did not rely on diesel nearly as much as other VW Group brands, but these oil burners were still popular choices up until only a few years ago. According to a report from Autocar, Porsche has ultimately made the decision to drop diesel vehicles entirely in what a spokesman claimed was due, in part, to the “cultural shift” of its customers.

The first Porsche diesel arrived on the market 16 years ago, and we really should not be surprised by this announcement considering the new third-generation Cayenne SUV doesn't even offer a diesel. The last two diesel variants on sale, at least in Europe, are the Macan S Diesel and Panamera 4S Diesel. Both are now discontinued. Diesel Porsches have already been dropped in the US in favor of a new electrification strategy. Autocar further points out diesel’s demise at Porsche is also linked to “another software update” that was still part of an “ongoing consultation with the authorities.” Interesting.

More than likely, Porsche has decided it was not worth re-engineering those vehicles’ diesels so they would conform to the new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure standards. Combined with decreased customer demand, the business case was clear. Diesel is something Porsche can definitely live without, considering diesel sales consisted of only 15 percent of Porsche’s total global sales last year. Porsche also never developed its own unique diesels, but instead relied upon its parent company to supply them. In fact, Porsche reportedly wanted Audi to fork over some $234 million in damages for costs related to diesel engines and the associated recalls.

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Porsche Powertrain Boss Arrested Over Diesel Emissions Scandal

Well, that's not great (for Porsche).

Following investigations earlier this week, German police have arrested Porsche’s powertrain development boss as part of ongoing investigations into Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal. According to Reuters, Joerg Kerner is being held on remand as he is seen as a potential flight risk after prosecutors searched 10 premises in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg as part of their inquiries into Porsche's involvement into the ongoing Volkswagen emissions scandal.

Kerner originally joined Audi from Robert Bosch in 2004. He’s the man responsible for building up Audi's engine and transmission electronics design and software development division, where it’s believed that the software that enabled VW to rig up to 11 million diesel engines to hide high emissions was first developed.Additionally, Kerner worked closely with VW Group's former top engineer Wolfgang Hatz, who was arrested lastyear,and was regarded as the confidant of former Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Mueller, who was also previously Porsche’s CEO. The latest arrest has resulted from information given to prosecutors by former Audi manager Giovanni Pamio.

The engine developer has been a steady source of information and has testified against colleagues as a key prosecution witness. For its part, Porsche is denying the allegations with Porsche CEO Oliver Blume vowing to do what it can to clear up the matter. Earlier this year, prosecutors widened an investigation of Audi, which was responsible for developing the illicit software used on 3.0-liter V6 diesel engines that was equipped in roughly 80,000 VW, Audi and Porsche models.

View the original article here

Death Of Diesel And Strict Emission Laws Can't Slow Porsche Sales

Porsche still had an amazing sales year.

On paper, 2018 sounds like it would be a difficult year for Porsche. The company has completely abandoned diesel and strict WLTP regulations threaten the sales of sports cars and even plug-in hybrids. We'd forgive Porsche for having lower-than-average sales in 2018 but the opposite is true. In fact, nothing seems to be slowing Porsche down as the German automaker trots into October with a significant sales increase. Over the first nine months of the year, Porsche has increased vehicle deliveries by 6% to 196,562 vehicles.

Even in Europe, where many automakers have been struggling due to strict WLPT regulations, Porsche saw a 9% sales increase to 66,551 units including a 13% increase to 24,709 vehicles in its home market of Germany. China too, Porsche's largest single market, saw a sales increase of 4% with 56,254 vehicles delivered. And although the growth wasn't as high as Europe and China, Porsche also saw a 3% increase to 42,626 vehicles in the United States.

“In Germany and Europe overall, our attractive product range meant that we were very well positioned to meet the strong demand for our sports cars in the first nine months,” said Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing. “We are also extremely satisfied with our growth rates in the USA and China.”

Porsche's massive growth was spurred on by an impressive lineup with extremely high demand. The Panamera saw the largest increase in September (up by 60%). Even the 911 saw an increase of 19%, while the volume sellers continue to be the Macan and Cayenne SUVs. Porsche made the decision back in February not sell any more diesel models but strong demand for plug-in hybrids seems to have filled in the void left by diesel.

“There are a number of significant challenges that await us in the fourth quarter, and we will take proactive steps to ensure that we face up to them successfully. This includes the changeover to the new WLTP test cycle and petrol particulate filters and the farewell to diesel engines,” said von Platen. Although other automakers may have had their struggles in 2018, it seems like Porsche is doing just fine.

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Porsche Cayenne Diesel V6 Coming

The oil burner will allegedly return.

Despite diesel being all but dead in most markets, Porsche is reportedly considering resurrecting a new diesel variant of its Cayenne SUV in order to satisfy demand from an outspoken group of customers. According to Porsche’s manager of SUV Powertrains, Friedmann Heller, the brand is thinking about a V6 diesel for the Cayenne due to vocal rural customers who want to have their cake and eat it too. “I can say we are considering offering a diesel Cayenne, but we are watching the demand and have to wait for the right time”, Heller told Top Gear recently.

But he did admit that the idea of a Cayenne S Diesel featuring a V8 powertrain is dead in the water, definitively. In particular, rural German customers who own things like horses and race cars still want a diesel for its outrageous pulling power, low CO2 emissions, and impressive range. In February, a report was published indicating that Porsche intended on ditching all of its diesel engines. However, the German carmaker has denied such speculation, with the Cayenne and maybe even the Macan slotted for an oil burner. This comes even after authorities had raided Porsche offices looking for evidence of diesel emission manipulation.

Despite these plans, Porsche admits that diesel engines aren’t hugely important for the brand and last year, only 14 percent of the company’s cars sold worldwide were diesel-powered.

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Death Of Diesel And Strict Emission Laws Can't Slow Porsche Sales

Porsche still had an amazing sales year.

On paper, 2018 sounds like it would be a difficult year for Porsche. The company has completely abandoned diesel and strict WLTP regulations threaten the sales of sports cars and even plug-in hybrids. We'd forgive Porsche for having lower-than-average sales in 2018 but the opposite is true. In fact, nothing seems to be slowing Porsche down as the German automaker trots into October with a significant sales increase. Over the first nine months of the year, Porsche has increased vehicle deliveries by 6% to 196,562 vehicles.

Even in Europe, where many automakers have been struggling due to strict WLPT regulations, Porsche saw a 9% sales increase to 66,551 units including a 13% increase to 24,709 vehicles in its home market of Germany. China too, Porsche's largest single market, saw a sales increase of 4% with 56,254 vehicles delivered. And although the growth wasn't as high as Europe and China, Porsche also saw a 3% increase to 42,626 vehicles in the United States.

“In Germany and Europe overall, our attractive product range meant that we were very well positioned to meet the strong demand for our sports cars in the first nine months,” said Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing. “We are also extremely satisfied with our growth rates in the USA and China.”

Porsche's massive growth was spurred on by an impressive lineup with extremely high demand. The Panamera saw the largest increase in September (up by 60%). Even the 911 saw an increase of 19%, while the volume sellers continue to be the Macan and Cayenne SUVs. Porsche made the decision back in February not sell any more diesel models but strong demand for plug-in hybrids seems to have filled in the void left by diesel.

“There are a number of significant challenges that await us in the fourth quarter, and we will take proactive steps to ensure that we face up to them successfully. This includes the changeover to the new WLTP test cycle and petrol particulate filters and the farewell to diesel engines,” said von Platen. Although other automakers may have had their struggles in 2018, it seems like Porsche is doing just fine.

View the original article here

Death Of Diesel And Strict Emission Laws Can't Slow Porsche Sales

Porsche still had an amazing sales year.

On paper, 2018 sounds like it would be a difficult year for Porsche. The company has completely abandoned diesel and strict WLTP regulations threaten the sales of sports cars and even plug-in hybrids. We'd forgive Porsche for having lower-than-average sales in 2018 but the opposite is true. In fact, nothing seems to be slowing Porsche down as the German automaker trots into October with a significant sales increase. Over the first nine months of the year, Porsche has increased vehicle deliveries by 6% to 196,562 vehicles.

Even in Europe, where many automakers have been struggling due to strict WLPT regulations, Porsche saw a 9% sales increase to 66,551 units including a 13% increase to 24,709 vehicles in its home market of Germany. China too, Porsche's largest single market, saw a sales increase of 4% with 56,254 vehicles delivered. And although the growth wasn't as high as Europe and China, Porsche also saw a 3% increase to 42,626 vehicles in the United States.

“In Germany and Europe overall, our attractive product range meant that we were very well positioned to meet the strong demand for our sports cars in the first nine months,” said Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing. “We are also extremely satisfied with our growth rates in the USA and China.”

Porsche's massive growth was spurred on by an impressive lineup with extremely high demand. The Panamera saw the largest increase in September (up by 60%). Even the 911 saw an increase of 19%, while the volume sellers continue to be the Macan and Cayenne SUVs. Porsche made the decision back in February not sell any more diesel models but strong demand for plug-in hybrids seems to have filled in the void left by diesel.

“There are a number of significant challenges that await us in the fourth quarter, and we will take proactive steps to ensure that we face up to them successfully. This includes the changeover to the new WLTP test cycle and petrol particulate filters and the farewell to diesel engines,” said von Platen. Although other automakers may have had their struggles in 2018, it seems like Porsche is doing just fine.

View the original article here

Death Of Diesel And Strict Emission Laws Can't Slow Porsche Sales

Porsche still had an amazing sales year.

On paper, 2018 sounds like it would be a difficult year for Porsche. The company has completely abandoned diesel and strict WLTP regulations threaten the sales of sports cars and even plug-in hybrids. We'd forgive Porsche for having lower-than-average sales in 2018 but the opposite is true. In fact, nothing seems to be slowing Porsche down as the German automaker trots into October with a significant sales increase. Over the first nine months of the year, Porsche has increased vehicle deliveries by 6% to 196,562 vehicles.

Even in Europe, where many automakers have been struggling due to strict WLPT regulations, Porsche saw a 9% sales increase to 66,551 units including a 13% increase to 24,709 vehicles in its home market of Germany. China too, Porsche's largest single market, saw a sales increase of 4% with 56,254 vehicles delivered. And although the growth wasn't as high as Europe and China, Porsche also saw a 3% increase to 42,626 vehicles in the United States.

“In Germany and Europe overall, our attractive product range meant that we were very well positioned to meet the strong demand for our sports cars in the first nine months,” said Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing. “We are also extremely satisfied with our growth rates in the USA and China.”

Porsche's massive growth was spurred on by an impressive lineup with extremely high demand. The Panamera saw the largest increase in September (up by 60%). Even the 911 saw an increase of 19%, while the volume sellers continue to be the Macan and Cayenne SUVs. Porsche made the decision back in February not sell any more diesel models but strong demand for plug-in hybrids seems to have filled in the void left by diesel.

“There are a number of significant challenges that await us in the fourth quarter, and we will take proactive steps to ensure that we face up to them successfully. This includes the changeover to the new WLTP test cycle and petrol particulate filters and the farewell to diesel engines,” said von Platen. Although other automakers may have had their struggles in 2018, it seems like Porsche is doing just fine.

View the original article here

Porsche Just Got Raided For Diesel Cheating

German prosecutors have been hard at work probing sister brand Audi, which was responsible for the development of the VW Group's 3.0 liter V6 diesel engine, subsequently sold in roughly 80,000 VW, Audi and Porsche models. Two Audi sites were also searched on Wednesday.

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