Porsche as a Brand- do normal consumers get it?
Discussion
I was at the ring yesterday, (having had a rather enjoyable 15 laps of motoring nirvana) and realized that Porsche is seen totallzy differently by people. At the ring, porsche is revered purely due to its on track performance (longevity, handling etc)
However when home in munich, porsche is purely seen as a ponce mobile, to be blasted up and down Maximillian strasse (the equivalent of Bond Street in london). Its a status and image thing here- these cars are revved hard when cold and of course will never see a track....
Has porsche lost the plot, or have they managed to tap into both the purist (us) and the showoffs (them)?Does the normal person on the street still understand what Porsche is about, or is it, purely a car to be "seen" in?
interested to hear everyones thoughts on this,
best,
adam
However when home in munich, porsche is purely seen as a ponce mobile, to be blasted up and down Maximillian strasse (the equivalent of Bond Street in london). Its a status and image thing here- these cars are revved hard when cold and of course will never see a track....
Has porsche lost the plot, or have they managed to tap into both the purist (us) and the showoffs (them)?Does the normal person on the street still understand what Porsche is about, or is it, purely a car to be "seen" in?
interested to hear everyones thoughts on this,
best,
adam
Edited by adamt on Monday 2nd April 10:50
Interesting thread Adam. I guess it depends which models you look at, the Cayenne is surely just a money making excersize and for the Chelsea tractor brigade, IMHO.
You could possibly say that cars from all the other ranges are for people who just want to be seen in a Porsche. However, apart from the Cayenne when you think about it all the cars from the 987 2.7 to the 997TT/GT3RS are also great drivers cars and equally at home on the track or the high street.
Surely Porsche should be congratulated for this? If they just made cars for ethusiasts they wouldnt make the profit they do and be able to make such great cars at the GT3 etc etc.
You could possibly say that cars from all the other ranges are for people who just want to be seen in a Porsche. However, apart from the Cayenne when you think about it all the cars from the 987 2.7 to the 997TT/GT3RS are also great drivers cars and equally at home on the track or the high street.
Surely Porsche should be congratulated for this? If they just made cars for ethusiasts they wouldnt make the profit they do and be able to make such great cars at the GT3 etc etc.
I agree, I think any porsche is at home on the track (except perhaps the Cayenne 
)
I think the main issue is the fact that Porsche has managed to cater for two very distinct groups of people, which normally would not be achievable.
Im trying to think how they have done this, is it primarily through engineering excellence/relibability, or outright performance, aesthetics or mortorsport achievements?
Could arguably be a mixture of all those I guess. But i cant think of another car maker with such a broad buyer base.
thanks for the response,
best
adam
) I think the main issue is the fact that Porsche has managed to cater for two very distinct groups of people, which normally would not be achievable.
Im trying to think how they have done this, is it primarily through engineering excellence/relibability, or outright performance, aesthetics or mortorsport achievements?
Could arguably be a mixture of all those I guess. But i cant think of another car maker with such a broad buyer base.
thanks for the response,
best
adam
I think the key factor is longevity Adam.
The 911 has been in production for over 40 years, and as such Porsche are able to market the product to differing types of user. Many of today's buyers aren't even familiar with the success of the car on the track and the motorsport heritage - they simply know it is an icon, which in itself makes it desirable.
The Land Rover is a similar case - Just as likely to be seen hooning around farms as cruising around a city.
Chris
The 911 has been in production for over 40 years, and as such Porsche are able to market the product to differing types of user. Many of today's buyers aren't even familiar with the success of the car on the track and the motorsport heritage - they simply know it is an icon, which in itself makes it desirable.
The Land Rover is a similar case - Just as likely to be seen hooning around farms as cruising around a city.
Chris
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