Porsche’s historic Zuffenhuasen plant in Stuttgart has been building sports cars for more than 70 years, and it’s seen plenty of changes in that time, growing dramatically in size, gaining a cutting-edge paint shop, and an engine plant in recent years. But the workers who put together the first few 356s in the spring of 1950 would be blown away by the technology now being used in a facility that’s been upgraded in preparation for an electric future.
The 2025 Boxster and Cayman will switch to EV-only powertrains when they’re launched next year, and though the 911 is hanging on to its combustion engines until at least 2030, it’s about to get a facelift that will introduce us to the first-ever hybrid 911.
We don’t yet know what kind of autonomous technology Porsche will offer on these new Zuffenhausen-built sports cars, but we do know that it’s fully embraced self-driving tech in the build process. Like the Taycan EV, which is built on a separate line at the site, the 911 now rolls around on autonomous dollies, which replace a traditional assembly line. These automated guided vehicles (AGVs) offer added flexibility in the build process that Porsche says is “particularly advantageous with a view to the future mixed production of vehicles with combustion engines and electric powertrains on a single line.”
Related: Porsche Execs Drop Big Electrified 911 Details, Hybrid Coming Around 2025
Quality control has also been improved, most obviously with a new light tunnel that makes it easier to spot paint and body defects, but Porsche says multiple additional quality checks and processes were introduced, including modifying the acoustic test benches for use with electric cars. In addition to the Taycan and new 718 electric twins, Porsche also builds the electric motors for the upcoming Macan EV at Zuffenhausen, though the car itself is produced in Leipzig.
With so many different cars and powertrains being produced at the same site, getting a firm grip on the parts logistics is key to a smooth production process, and Porsche is upgrading this area of the business with a new building at the site of the former Porsche Centre on Porscheplatz across from the Porsche Museum. Due for completion in 2025, it will feature huge racks covering two floors for storing Taycan and 718 EV parts that back up a similar racking system opened this September.
