By Friedrich Geiger
BERLIN-- Volkswagen AG's Porsche brand sold more cars than ever
before last year, helped by the German auto maker's launch of its
second sport-utility vehicle amid another 12 months of robust
global demand for luxury cars.
Porsche, a bellwether for the premium car industry, delivered
289,849 vehicles to customers last year, an increase of 17% from
2013.
Demand for Porsche models accelerated toward the end of the
year, with sales in December jumping 39%, as customers flocked to
buy the new Macan, the brand's second SUV after the Cayenne. Sales
of 20,644 vehicles were a new monthly record, Porsche said on
Thursday.
"The successful launch of the Macan has buoyed our brand," said
Bernhard Maier, executive board member of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche
AG, as the wholly owned Volkswagen unit is officially known.
The strong performance by the maker of 911 sports cars as well
as luxury SUVs comes amid some worries about how sustainable growth
in luxury-car demand could be this year as China's economy slows
and Europe's economy recovery has stalled.
Porsche's performance is good news for Volkswagen, increasingly
reliant on its higher-margin premium brands, which include Audi and
Bentley, to compensate for slowing growth and pressure on
profitability at its namesake VW brand.
Porsche said that a revamped version of the Cayenne sold well in
China, ensuring overall demand there rose by a quarter, with
deliveries also up 19% in Europe and 11% in the U.S.
Write to Friedrich Geiger at friedrich.geiger@wsj.com
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