All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Porsche sales results in the first six months of 2022

After the record sales results achieved last year, this year will not be so successful for Porsche. In the first quarter of 2022, Porsche sold over 68,000 vehicles worldwide. Now the Stuttgart-based company announced that it delivered almost 150,000 vehicles in the first half of this year.

Due to all the difficulties faced by the automotive industry, Porsche is nevertheless satisfied with the achieved results. The pandemic and the supply chain caused the most problems. Despite this, growth was achieved in some markets. For example, in Europe, compared to last year, sales increased by 7 percent (43,087 vehicles), and in Germany alone, 13,785 vehicles were sold.

“We and our dealers have successfully navigated a first half-year shaped by external factors and uncertainties. In addition to the difficulties posed by the resurgence of the COVID pandemic in China and other markets, ongoing supply-chain- and logistics-related challenges have accompanied us. At the same time, the desirability of our brand and the popularity of our products remain strong. We expect the second half-year to be dynamic. As in previous years, we are optimistic about the future and determined to go full steam ahead with the remaining months of the year,” says Detlev von Platen, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG.

Porsche sales results in the first six months of 2022 (1)

When it comes to the rest of the world, there was a decline in sales. Despite the delivery difficulties, Porsche managed to sell 62,245 vehicles in the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and the Middle East, while in the United States the number was 32,529 vehicles. In the Chinese market, sales fell by 16 percent (40,681 vehicles).

The highest demand is still for SUVs, of which the most sold are Cayenne (41,947), Macan (38,039), Taycan (18,877). Of the sports models, the most delivered were 911 models (21,616), Panamera (15,604), 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman (9,777).

Porsche hopes that the rest of the year could bring better results, but given the current situation in the world, it will be difficult to achieve.

Source: Porsche

2023 Mini Cooper SE Convertible

The British company Mini has announced that future models of this brand will be electric, and the recently presented Mini Cooper SE Convertible shows what their future will look like. It will have its premiere at the MINI Takes the States event in the United States.

The Cooper SE Convertible is the same size as the Cooper S Convertible. Comfortable with enough space for four passengers, and 160 L of luggage space. The car has a folding roof and the driver can choose three options: open, closed and sunroof. The roof can be folded in less than 20 seconds at a maximum speed of 30 km/h.

This unique and fully functional electric concept car is powered by an electric motor with 181 hp (133 kW) and 199 lb-ft (270 Nm) of torque. That’s just enough to get the Cooper SE Convertible to 62 mph in 7.7 seconds, and when it comes to range, the convertible has an estimated range of 142 miles (230 kilometers).

This is not the only news from Mini, because the company is seriously considering a new generation of electric Mini Cooper that will be completely different from the current model. Rumors say that Mini will also offer an electric crossover to the market. Whether that will happen remains to be seen.

Source: Mini

The Nissan GT-R rolled over 11 times

Owners of super sports cars or tuned cars, with a large number of horsepower, try to show their performance on race tracks. This can often be very dangerous, especially if you lose control over the steering, as the driver of the Nissan GT-R experienced.

At the recent GT-R Challenge held at Cootamundra Airport (Australia), Nissan GT-R driver Mick Mansour survived a rollover 11 times. He was competing in an acceleration race and during the race the wheels touched the grass which caused the tire to explode at a speed of 168 mph (270 km/h). The driver lost control over the car and the car rolled over. Luckily, Mansour was not seriously injured, and after the race he said that he couldn’t believe that he managed to survive and that he didn’t have any fractures.

The Nissan GT-R driven by Mansour develops 1,500 hp (1,103 kW), which is less than the standard 2,100 hp (1,544 kW) that other cars have. The Nissan was equipped with standard equipment for this type of racing, which includes a roll cage and seat belts and other safety equipment.

The car was not completely destroyed. Some parts survived the accident such as the engine, gearbox and differential.

Source: Motive Video via YouTube