German automaker Porsche has announced a substantial investment of approximately 250 million euros in its Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant. The primary objective is to modernize Porsche’s main manufacturing facility, preparing it for the production of cutting-edge electric sports cars.
The upcoming 718 generation electric sports cars will join the assembly line traditionally dedicated to models with a Boxer engine. This line will now manufacture all variants of the 911, the 718 Boxster, and the 718 Cayman. While Porsche does not explicitly confirm the continued production of combustion models alongside the electric 718, the focus is on transformation measures outlined in the press release.
Drawing inspiration from the assembly process employed for the Taycan, also produced in Zuffenhausen, Porsche plans to replace the conventional assembly line with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) on the Flexi line for two-door sports cars. This shift is aimed at achieving a more adaptable production process, particularly valuable for the anticipated mixed production of vehicles featuring both combustion engines and electric powertrains on a single line.
The Zuffenhausen engine production center will integrate the assembly of electric motors destined for the electric Porsche Macan, scheduled for production at the Leipzig site starting 2024.
Beyond advancements in electromobility, the Zuffenhausen production center will witness additional modifications, unrelated to electric vehicles. New assembly processes and dedicated stations for quality assurance have been introduced. The production process now incorporates standardized quality assurance and approval points, complemented by the installation of a new light tunnel.
Construction of a logistics warehouse for the body shop, initiated in 2022 opposite the Porsche Museum, is underway. Upon completion in 2025, this two-floor high-bay warehouse will supply the body shop for Taycan and sports car production with vehicle parts. Another high-bay warehouse is set to open in September 2023, catering to the entire assembly plant with diverse vehicle components.
Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG, emphasizes the significance of these measures, describing them as a pivotal milestone for the Zuffenhausen site. The transformation aims to enhance efficiency, maintain the highest quality standards, and facilitate the mixed production of combustion-engine and electric sports cars, marking a new era in sports car production termed as the “smart factory.”
