2020 was an unusual year for virtually all automakers due to the disruptions across the industry caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Porsche was not immune to the impact COVID-19 had on new car demand, with sales decreasing by three percent to 272,162 units. The silver lining for the Zuffenhausen brand was the Taycan, which had an impressively strong start on the market.
Porsche is happy to announce sales of the electric sedan reached 20,015 units in the Taycan’s first full year on sale. However, the term “full year” is not entirely accurate since there was a six-week production hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, meaning the sports car (and SUV) brand could’ve built even more cars. Another factor that had a negative impact on sales was the Taycan’s late availability as it wasn’t launched in some markets until spring.
The numbers are likely to grow this year if everything gets back to normal and we finally put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us thanks to what will hopefully be a widespread approval of vaccines. Porsche will also spice things up with the addition of a Taycan Cross Turismo wagon and might launch the base, rear-wheel-drive sedan in other markets beyond China.
The Taycan sedan and wagon won’t remain the only EVs from Porsche for much longer as 2022 will be the year when the Macan will also embrace zero emissions. The next-gen crossover has been confirmed repeatedly with electric power, and it will peacefully coexist with the gasoline model for a number of years before the ICE will be dropped entirely.
If you’re wondering how Taycan sales stacked up against those of the Tesla Model S last year, it’s difficult to have a clear image because Tesla bundled sales of the Model S with those of the Model X, totaling 57,039 units. The two Teslas are getting an update this year, which in theory should boost demand.
Source: Porsche
