Porsche CEO: Current generation won't appreciate small roadster

[Burg Boxster]

Actually, this is a dilemma [almost] all car mfgs are facing... a declining audience. While "we" are car enthusiasts, today's Millennial XYZ Gen is not.

WSJ had an article in the last two weeks citing numbers to support this. Something like 30 years ago, 80% of USA teens age 18 had their driver's license. Today it's somewhere below 66.66%. The desire to drive apparently eludes the younger generation these days. Further, those in their 20's desire only access to a car a la zipcar but not to necessarily own one.

WSJ Article Link

So, is Porsche making the right call trying to go upstream until downstream is better figured out by those who solely depend on it. Can't say it's a bad move provided the audience will still buy... which at this point is strongly that they will. Otherwise, let the mass play in that sandbox until the "formula" is figured out in how to attract younger buyers profitably.

[Jager]

Wait until the next generation?? What about us baby boomers that want a nice daily driver roadster? Guess I will be buying another Boxster... I'm sure that's their plan, force me to buy a $100k Boxster.

[TPC]

Originally Posted by Burg Boxster

Actually, this is a dilemma [almost] all car mfgs are facing... a declining audience. While "we" are car enthusiasts, today's Millennial XYZ Gen is not.

I firmly fit into the end of x start of Y depending on your definition. I own a 01 boxster S a 70 911S a 06 Ducati Monster and for daily use I drive an 09 9-3 saab sport combi and my wife is in a 10 A4 that I really want to trade in on a used cts-v wagon. I do almost all of my own work in my garage myself looking forward to doing my IMS very soon.

I think the graying of the car enthusiast is over exaggerated. After all what demo group is the Toyota Camry aimed at? Certainly not my age bracket.

With that being said my 3 year old has been watching formula one since she was born with me and this will be her third year to go to Sebring. Will she be a car enthusiast I hope so but it's up to us as car enthusiast parents to give your kid a fighting chance. Next time their playing on their iPad or iphone tell them to utube some classic Le Mans Porsche footage.

Off my gen xy soap box.