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Oliver Blume’s Statement on the Early End of the Porsche Macan With Internal Combustion Exposes a Strategic Reassessment of the German Manufacturer After the Slowdown in Demand for Electric Vehicles, the Exit of the Model From the European Market in 2024, and the Definitive Termination of Production Scheduled for 2026
Porsche publicly acknowledged a significant strategic error in discontinuing the Porsche Macan with an internal combustion engine, a decision based on market forecasts that did not materialize, according to a statement from Oliver Blume, who was the CEO of the Stuttgart-based brand until January 1.
Public Recognition and Context of the Decision
In an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Blume stated that Porsche believed in a faster adoption of electric vehicles when it decided to end the gasoline Macan. Based on the data available at the time, the company bet that the electric Macan would fully meet the demand for the original model.
The executive acknowledged that the decision did not work out as expected. According to him, although he would make the same decision again with the information available at that time, the current market situation is different, which required a revision of the brand’s strategy and new priorities.
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Exit From the European Market and Closure Timeline
The Porsche Macan with an internal combustion engine ceased to be sold in Europe in mid-2024. The withdrawal occurred because the model did not meet the new cybersecurity requirements imposed by GSR2 regulations, making its continuation in the European market unfeasible.
Globally, Porsche plans to definitively end the production of the gasoline Macan in the coming months. The final closure of the production line is expected to take place in mid-2026, ending a cycle that was considered premature even by the manufacturer itself.
Demand for Electrics Below Expectations
The discontinuation of the gasoline Macan was directly linked to the launch of the Porsche Macan Electric, designed as the natural successor to the original model. However, the demand for fully electric vehicles grew more slowly than anticipated.
This slowdown was observed mainly in key markets such as Europe and the United States. The result was the absence of a direct alternative to the internal combustion engine in one of Porsche’s most profitable segments, creating a significant gap in its portfolio.
Blume highlighted that this change in the scenario led the brand to react. Porsche decided to reinforce investments in internal combustion engines and hybrid systems, adjusting its strategy in light of the actual market conditions.
New Internal Combustion SUV to Fill the Macan Gap
With the exit of the gasoline Macan, Porsche recognized that an important void was left in its product line. To fill it, the company is already working on developing a new SUV with an internal combustion engine, positioned below the Porsche Cayenne.
The new model will not use the Macan name and is scheduled to launch in 2028. According to the brand itself, it will be a vehicle “very typical of Porsche,” clearly differentiated from the electric Macan, both in proposal and positioning.
Everything indicates that the future SUV will share technical synergies with the Audi Q5, utilizing the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). Unlike the current Macan, with rear-wheel drive, the new model may adopt a solution close to the Quattro Ultra system, aiming to reduce costs and timelines.
Broader Change in Product Strategy
The acknowledgment of the error involving the Macan is part of a broader overhaul of Porsche’s strategy. The brand confirmed that its future large three-row SUV will feature internal combustion engines, abandoning plans to make it exclusively electric.
Additionally, the sports cars Porsche 718 Boxster and Porsche 718 Cayman will return to offering gasoline versions. The decision reverses the previous strategy to transform the entire 718 family into a fully electric line.
In executive leadership, Oliver Blume stepped down as president of Porsche, a position now held by Michael Leiters, former CEO of McLaren. Blume remains at the helm of the Volkswagen Group until 2030.
Despite the acknowledged error, Porsche arrives at this moment in a solid position. Under Blume’s leadership, the brand increased from 225,000 vehicles sold in 2015 to a peak of over 320,000 units in 2023, reinforcing its adaptability even in a scenario of uncertain transition.
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