Porsche mulls smaller SUV, sports car

Porsche may develop a small SUV and a sports car smaller than the Boxster as it aims to double worldwide sales in the next three years.

Bernhard Maier, head of sales and marketing at Porsche AG, confirmed that the company is looking into smaller and less expensive models “but we have taken no decision so far.”

The small SUV has been code-named “Cajun”--short for Cayenne Jr.

The success of the Cayenne SUV has given Porsche confidence to “investigate if there are other opportunities,” Maier said.

He said the alternatives are to develop the Cajun in-house, share a platform with another Volkswagen Group brand or use a partner. He would not confirm reports that the Cajun will go into production in 2013, using the same platform as the Audi Q5 and sharing its components.

Maier said the smaller SUV would be a way for Porsche to increase its revenues and “follow the growth plan of the company.”

VW CEO Martin Winterkorn has said he wants Porsche to grow its global sales from the current 75,000 a year to 150,000 by 2014. VW acquired 49.9 percent of Porsche AG after Porsche last year failed in an attempt to take control of VW.

A car smaller than the Boxster also has been discussed. Maier said it's possible “if we would be able to find a car that will be best in class and share all the DNA of Porsche.”

He said there is no timeframe yet for a decision.

According to reports, the small sports car would use a new VW Group mid-engine platform that would also be used by the VW Bluesport sports car is due in 2013.

By Diana T. Kurylko- Automotive News