Porsche News: Porsche CEO Says They Could Drop Diesel By 2020

[William Maley]

The diesel emission scandal has caused many automakers to rethink plans and possibly end development on diesel powertrains. Volvo has already announced that it would not be developing any new diesel powertrains in the coming years. Now, Porsche could be following them.

Porsche CEO Oliver Blume tells Reuters the company will make the decision whether or not it will continue developing diesel engines by the end of the decade. 

"Of course we are looking into this issue. We have not made a decision on it," said Blume.

"For the generations that will follow there are different scenarios."

Blume said over the next 10 to 15 years, Porsche would offer a mix of combustion engines, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and electrics. 

Currently, diesels make up 15 percent of Porsche's global sales. In 2016, the German automaker sold a record 237,778 diesel vehicles - comprised of the Cayenne, Macan, and Panamera. 

Source: Reuters

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[David]

Pass, no need for the Diesel, plenty of better options exist. Time to put down the heavy dirty fuel and move forward with greener technology.

[smk4565]

Could drop?  They should drop diesel like a sack of dirt.  They are a sports car company, who actually is primarily an SUV company now but at any rate, throw some hybrid tech on this SUVs and drop the diesel.

[riviera74]

When GM sold those Oldsmobile/Cadillac diesels in the late 70s, people bought them but GM then dropped the diesel cars and failed to support or service them.  I wonder if Porsche will do the same with their diesel-powered autos once they no longer build them.

[David]

13 hours ago, riviera74 said:

When GM sold those Oldsmobile/Cadillac diesels in the late 70s, people bought them but GM then dropped the diesel cars and failed to support or service them.  I wonder if Porsche will do the same with their diesel-powered autos once they no longer build them.

Like GM, they will support them as long as they have parts and then leave it to the 3rd party companies to support it, but remember, Porsche used the same motors as Audi and VW, so parts and support will not be a problem for a long time.