Legacy of Porsche in Metairie, LA

Porsche: Where it all Began

Porsche, an iconic sports car brand, has significantly impacted the automotive industry. The distinctive roar of its high-performance engines symbolizes unparalleled power and dynamism. Named after the renowned designer Ferdinand Porsche, the brand has produced automotive legends like the 356 and 911 sports car models, as well as race cars such as the 550 Spyder and the 917. The Porsche family business continues to create automotive masterpieces driven by pure passion.

Porsche Through the Years (1900 – 1939)

Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) was a visionary whose revolutionary designs positioned him as a key figure in the automotive history of the first half of the 20th century. As early as 1898, he delved into the development of electric vehicles.

Lohner-Porsche and Semper Vivus (1900)

With its innovative wheel hub-mounted motor and impressive 50-kilometer range, the Lohner-Porsche significantly impacted the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris. That same year, Porsche introduced the Semper Vivus, marking the world's first production-ready functional hybrid vehicle.

Porsche Founded the Company (1931)

In December 1930, during the global financial crisis, Porsche, age 55, took the bold step of establishing an independent business. On April 25th, 1931, Porsche and his son-in-law Anton Piëch and Adolf Rosenberger founded the company “Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche GmbH” in Stuttgart.

The newly established company initially employed 12 people and offered engine and vehicle design, as well as consultancy services. In 1931, the company patented torsion bar suspension, demonstrating its innovative design prowess.

Awarded the Lucrative Contract (1933)

The design company's success with several small projects led to its being chosen to construct a race car for Auto Union in 1933. The 750-kilogram P-type, with its mid-mounted engine, marked Porsche's debut in grand-prix car design and secured the company's future.

The Type 32, a small car developed under contract from NSU, featured a design reminiscent of the later Volkswagen. The concept of an affordable small car for the mass market captivated Porsche, who, like numerous other designers and engineers at the time, drew inspiration from the mass motorization trend in the USA.

BerlinRome Car (1938 -1939)

From 1938 to 1939, Porsche KG laid the foundation for the iconic Porsche sports car lineage by developing the Type 64 "Berlin-Rome car." This groundbreaking in-house sports car concept set the stage for Porsche's future.

Additionally, Porsche KG's diverse design expertise encompassed tractors for agriculture and later expanded to include tanks and other military vehicles. Amidst the challenges of wartime bombing raids in 1944, the management strategically relocated the design office to Gmünd in Austria and the material stores to Zell am See. This pivotal move also established the Porsche family seat, known as the "Schüttgut," in Zell am See.

Modern Day Porsche (1964 – Onward)

911 Model (1964)

Since its debut in September 1964, the new 911 model has been the foundation of the Porsche brand. The Zuffenhausen facility near Stuttgart has produced seven generations of this iconic model. The 911 epitomizes the automotive dream, offering both elegance and an exhilarating driving experience.

Revving up production of the new model series posed a major challenge for the company. Porsche made a bold investment of DM 15 million to acquire a body plant, necessitating the withdrawal from Formula 1 and partially relinquishing its motorsport activities. The brand's burgeoning reputation received another boost thanks to the racing triumphs of the Porsche 917, which, starting in 1969, secured a slew of victories at Le Mans.

Porsche 924 (1975)

In 1975, Volkswagen decided to halt a joint project to shift its focus toward developing a new generation of models, including the Polo and Passat. Consequently, the 924 model was transferred to Porsche, which independently launched it as the Porsche 924, manufactured at Audi in Neckarsulm. This new entry-level Porsche car marked a departure from traditional design concepts. Notably, in the 1976/77 financial year, the 924 model accounted for nearly half of the company's total vehicle sales.

Oil Price Shock in 1979

In response to the intense competition after the second oil price shock in 1979, Porsche experienced a significant drop in unit sales. To counter this, Porsche introduced the 944 in 1981, a cost-effective 4-cylinder model designed to attract new customers while bridging the gap between the 924 and the 911 SC. The strategy paid off, as evidenced by the impressive sales figures - from January to September 1982, Porsche sold 4,000 units of the 944 alone. This marked a significant turnaround for the company.

1980s

Throughout the 1980s, Porsche faced increasing competition on the global stage. Despite these challenges, the company achieved remarkable success, especially in the US market, where over half of its vehicles were sold. In 1984, Porsche Cars North America Inc. was established after the agreement with Volkswagen of America Inc. expired. Porsche issued preference shares in 1984 to support its growth, raising capital for expansion. The company invested more than a billion DM by 1988 to enhance its facilities.

Find Your Porsche at Porsche of New Orleans

The Porsche brand seamlessly blends tradition and innovation, leveraging Ferdinand Porsche's pioneering spirit to introduce plug-in hybrid drive technology in the Cayenne and Panamera models. This demonstrates a strong commitment to upholding a rich engineering legacy while embracing future advancements.

If you’re interested in purchasing a Porsche, head over to the Porsche of New Orleans dealership in Metairie, LA, to get behind the wheel of a vehicle that will leave you wanting more.