Mr Blume, the word on everyone’s lips is climate protection. Have you changed your behaviour as a result?
Oliver Blume: Yes, all the attention towards climate change over the last few months has caused me to reflect on and adapt my own behaviour. Even if it’s just meant changing smaller things such as using public transport more often. And I try to avoid plastic bags by taking my own bags with me when I go shopping. I also carbon offset my flights. There are always ways to improve, starting with your own personal attitude and behaviour.
Do you think many Porsche customers take the same attitude as you or do they still want a roaring engine?
Many customers like both, and this includes me. The three most important reasons for buying a Porsche are the brand, the product and the design. After we launched our first electric model, the Taycan, many customers contacted us to say that was exactly the car they had been looking for. A Porsche driver wants to be a trendsetter with access to the latest technologies. With the Taycan, you can drive a sporty car but with zero CO2 footprint – driving with a sound ecological conscience so to speak. We are pioneers in sustainable mobility, combining the sports car with sustainability.
What you’re saying is that a Porsche doesn’t need to “roar”?
Some say no, others say of course it does! We offer the customer both driving experiences. This is why we are working hard at continually optimising the emissions of our petrol engines. Many belonging to my generation love the sound of our engines. We have learnt to associate the sound with speed acceleration and driving dynamics. In reality, sound has nothing to do with the car’s driving characteristics or its performance. In the future, my own children will not associate an engine’s roar with a car’s performance. They will expect an innovative, digital car such as the Taycan.
This all sounds like Porsche will soon support the demands of Fridays for Future.
I find it really encouraging that the discussion on climate has been elevated. This gives us new impetus to reflect on our own strategy and pursue further developments. We are focusing on a flexible drive strategy: emotive combustion engines such as the 911, powerful hybrids such as the Cayenne and Panamera as well as innovative electric cars like the Taycan. Everything we do is typically Porsche; we take our inspiration from motorsports and focus on becoming more sustainable.
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SOURCE: Porsche
