- The Porsche Macan EV could be joined by a new ICE-powered Macan.
- Other models that were initially planned as EVs might gain ICE or hybrid options.
- The uncertainty around EV demand is what caused Porsche to rethink its plans.
Porsche is rethinking its all-electric future, considering hybrid and internal combustion engine (ICE) options for models originally planned as EVs. Concerns over the volatility of the EV market are driving this shift, with insider sources hinting that a new ICE-powered Macan might join the lineup alongside the fully electric version, which debuted last year.
More: Porsche Buyers Snap Up Gas-Powered 718s Like It’s 1999 As Taycan Sales Tank
Lutz Meschke, Porsche’s Chief Financial Officer, confirmed this pivot in strategy, stating, “We are exploring the possibility of equipping some of the originally planned electric models with hybrid drives or internal combustion engines in the future. Conceptual decisions are being made, but what is clear is that we are committed to the combustion engine for much longer.”
A Possible Return for the ICE Macan
Porsche insiders speaking to Autocar revealed that senior executives are considering reversing their decision to phase out the ICE Macan entirely. A new gas-powered version of the popular SUV could soon become a reality as part of Porsche’s exploration of a “range of product scenarios.”
Despite the warm reception of the Macan EV with 18,278 units sold in Q4 2024, accounting for 66% of the model’s total sales that year, the automaker is cautious. The EV market’s unpredictability has them hedging their bets, especially as sales of the Taycan, Porsche’s other flagship EV, have slumped.
Once the highlight in Porsche’s EV portfolio, the Taycan saw a sharp 49% sales decline in 2024, moving just 20,836 units compared to 2023. Porsche attributed the drop to the recent introduction of the Taycan’s facelifted version, but the drop has raised broader concerns about the long-term sustainability of EV demand.
“The reception to the new Macan EV has been positive, but we are yet to see its long-term performance given uncertain market conditions,” an unnamed Porsche insider told Autocar. “The downturn in Taycan sales highlights new market dynamics. We cannot rely solely on traditional assumptions about consumer behavior.”
The ICE Macan, originally introduced in 2013 and refreshed in 2019 and 2021, has long been one of Porsche’s best sellers. With over 500,000 units sold globally since launch, it remains a cornerstone of the brand’s success alongside the larger Cayenne.
Cybersecurity regulations forced the automaker to axe the aging Macan from its European lineup in April 2024. While the the ICE-powered Macan will remain on sale for the “foreseeable future” in other markets including North America, an updated version would certainly help boost sales and potentially mark its return in the Old Continent.
If Porsche does reintroduce the ICE Macan, it would be following the lead of fellow Volkswagen Group brand Audi. The German automaker recently unveiled an updated ICE-powered Q5 to complement its fully electric Q6 e-tron. Audi is using the same PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) architecture to underpin new combustion-powered models across its lineup.
Rethinking The EV Strategy
According to the report, plummeting Taycan sales have forced Porsche to scale back production of the EV and even consider pulling it from its main Stuttgart factory, a move that could potentially result in job cuts. While Porsche once aimed for EVs to make up 80% of its global sales by 2030, that target has now been quietly shelved.
In terms of additional EV models, a fully electric Porsche Cayenne is under development and could arrive in late 2025 or early 2025. However, the company has also pledged to keep the ICE and hybrid versions alive beyond 2030 with another facelift, giving its customers a wide range of options to choose from.
Finally, the electric successor of the 718 family has been reportedly delayed, following the recent bankruptcy of battery supplier Northvolt. As a result, Porsche could further extend the lifecycle of the aging 718 Boxster and Cayman, which remain popular judging from the 15% sales increase of 2024 (23,670 units).
