By Nico Schmidt
DETROIT--German sportscar maker Porsche Automobil Holding SE
(PAH3.XE) wants to reach annual car sales of 200,000 before 2018,
Chief Executive Officer Matthias Mueller told Wall Street Journal
Deutschland Monday, on the sidelines of the Detroit Car Show.
"We will probably reach the sale of 200,000 already before
2018," Mueller said. "It wouldn't surprise me, if we reached this
in 2015 or 2016," Mr. Mueller added.
In 2012, Porsche sold 141,000 cars, an increase of nearly 20%
over the previous record, reached in 2011, thanks especially to the
U.S. and China. In Europe, Porsche bucked the downward trend and
showed double-digit growth on strong sales of the new version of
its iconic sportscar, the Porsche 911, and the Cayenne SUV.
Mr. Mueller said it was difficult to assess the current
situation in the car market.
"At the moment, nobody can give a reasonably reliable forecast
about how it will go. There are considerable problems in Europe;
the euro crisis is not yet over," Mr. Mueller said. He also cited
the U.S.'s debt problems and a new government in China.
Mr. Mueller, however, is confident about the new year, which, in
his view, started as the previous one ended.
"The conditions are good for 2013," Mr. Mueller said, adding
that the company's minimum target is to reach a sales growth rate
matching the market.
"But Porsche actually has to target a faster growth," Mr.
Mueller said. He added that he wouldn't consider it bad if growth
in 2013 slows a bit.
A key element of the company's future plans is the small SUV,
the Macan, whose sales will begin in 2014. Mr. Mueller expects
annual sales of at least 50,000 of this model.
Write to Nico Schmidt at nico.schmidt@wsj.com
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