Porsche said it has no intention of relocating any part of its vehicle production process to the United States, dismissing a media report suggesting the company was exploring such a move in response to rising tariff risks.
The German luxury automaker, which does not currently manufacture any vehicles in the U.S., is particularly exposed to trade barriers. Like its Volkswagen Group sibling Audi, Porsche is grappling with slowing global demand, heightened competition in China, and sluggish adoption of electric vehicles.
Bloomberg reported earlier on Friday, citing unnamed sources, that Porsche CEO Oliver Blume — who also leads the broader Volkswagen Group — was considering transferring the final stages of model assembly to the United States. These steps would include tasks such as installing interior elements or fitting tires, according to the report.
In response, a Porsche spokesperson stated, “No such plans are in place.”
Porsche’s Chief Financial Officer Jochen Breckner addressed the topic of localization in April, saying it was not economically viable due to the company’s relatively low U.S. sales volume, even in the event of potential collaboration with other Volkswagen brands. “Localisation made no sense given our low vehicle sales,” he said.
Meanwhile, Audi is preparing to produce some of its top-selling models in the United States and is expected to announce a production site later this year. The company has noted that this strategy predates any recent U.S. trade policy shifts.
While Porsche continues to emphasize its German production footprint, Blume recently said the Volkswagen Group is in talks with U.S. officials regarding expanded investment. “We are engaged in discussions with Washington to expand our presence in the U.S. through massive investments,” he said last week, without disclosing further details due to confidentiality agreements.