Porsche is reconsidering the future of its long-delayed all-electric 718 Boxster and Cayman models, with the projects at risk of being scrapped before reaching production, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg.
The review comes shortly after Michael Leiters, former chief executive of McLaren, assumed his role as Porsche’s CEO on Jan. 1. One of his first major decisions could involve halting development of the electric 718s, sources said, citing rising costs, repeated delays and a broader rethink of Porsche’s electrification strategy.
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Porsche has already retired the outgoing internal combustion engine (ICE) generation of the 718 Boxster and Cayman to make way for their electric successors. However, the company is under increasing pressure to rein in spending after scaling back its earlier plan to move rapidly toward an all-electric lineup. That shift has been compounded by a sharp 26% drop in Porsche’s sales in China in 2025, one of its most important markets.
According to Bloomberg, Porsche is also evaluating the addition of new plug-in hybrid models, a move that would require fresh vehicle architectures and significant new investment. Any such change could further delay the next-generation 718, potentially leaving the models technologically behind rivals if they eventually launch.
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Leiters inherits a complex situation from his predecessor Oliver Blume, who led the company for a decade before moving into a dual role as chief executive of Volkswagen Group. Porsche’s pullback from its electric-only ambitions reportedly reduced operating profit by about €1.8 billion ($2.1 billion) last year. The company has also faced added pressure from new U.S. tariffs and was recently removed from Germany’s benchmark DAX index following market weakness.
The electric 718 projects have already suffered multiple delays. In early 2025, Blume said Porsche was struggling to secure high-performance battery cells, partly due to the bankruptcy of Swedish battery maker Northvolt, a key supplier. Sales of the electric Boxster and Cayman had been expected to begin this year, but that timeline now appears increasingly unlikely.
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In a sign of its shifting strategy, Porsche announced in September that flagship versions of the next-generation 718 — including potential successors to the Cayman GT4, GT4 RS and 718 Spyder RS — would continue to use internal combustion engines. Subsequent reports suggested that combustion options could be extended to a broader portion of the 718 lineup, not just the high-performance variants.
Whether the electric 718 models survive the current strategic review remains uncertain, but the debate highlights the growing challenge premium automakers face as they balance electrification ambitions with market realities, supply chain constraints and profitability pressures.
