January 2008 Panorama
 

Thought you guys would appreciate this :

No more unlimited speed on the Autobahn ? German politicians want to reduce the maximum speed down to 130kph ( 81mph ) from “unlimited’ today. Not based on safety reasons, but rather on CO2 emissions.

Porsche’s Wendelin Wiedeking’s 2006 basic compensation is in excess of 100 millions dollars ( not including stock options ). Total paid to management board was $166 million, including Wiedeking’s share, compared to $66.7M last year.

Porsche made more money last fiscal year from trading derivatives ( stock option transactions ) than from selling cars. This generated $5.3 billion. Net earnings for the year were $6.26 billion, compared to $2.05 billion last year !

Residuals of used cars

Percent of value after five years :
48.1 VW
45.6 BMW
45.4 Acura
45.2 Honda
44.9 Porsche

Worst :
27.6 Suzuki
30.4 Kia
32.5 GMC, Mercury, Dodge, Chrysler

Porsche is planning a new “Cayenne Lite” mid side SUV based on the Audi Q5. The new mid size SUV has been code named the “Boxster” Audi, in turn, will use most of the next generation Boxster due in 2011 for its upcoming mid engined two seater R4

2008 Porsche Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman, and Cayman S have simultaneously won Car and Driver Magazine’s 10 Best cars sold in America and Automobile Magazine’s All Stars award. ( Car and Driver has chosen either the Boxster or Cayman as on of the top ten cars for nine out of the last ten years )

Porsche Sales for November

2662 vehicles Nov 06
Cayenne up 62% Nov 06
911 off 20% Nov 06
Boxster / Cayman off 26% Nov 06

31,802 YTD
Cayenne up 17% YTD
911 up 7% YTD
Boxster / Cayman down 17.6% YTD

( summarized from January 2008 Porsche Panorama pg 67-68 )

I dont think Germany will make the speed limit change, while yes, it is a road... but its also a tourist attraction and is one of the many reasons people visit Germany... Besides, if they drop the speed to 81mph, then RUF and Porsche and other german automakers wont be able to say "Built & Tested to withstand the speeds of the Autobahn"

I don't think they will change it either...besides, not ALL of the autobahn is unlimited as many seem to think. I lived in Germany for 9 years and you'd be surprised as to how much is restricted. You don't want to get caught speeding on it either where it is restricted...speed cameras, both fixed and mobile units, EVERYWHERE.

Just ask my wife...who's speeding ticket followed her all the way back to the US, lol.

:cheers: Gord.

This debate has been going on for a long time in Germany before they made it into a global warming issue.

Germany ... Boulder Colorado on a larger scale.