Porsche 2009 Annual Report Download - page 73

Production
Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH wins top
accolade for quality
In the reporting period, the Porsche
Zwischenholding GmbH group produced a total of
89,123 vehicles, 16.1 percent more than in the prior
fiscal year. In Stuttgart Zuffenhausen, 20,159 units of
the 911 model series and 4,737 units of the Boxster
series were assembled. At Finnish partner Valmet,
7,518 units of the Boxster series rolled off the pro-
duction line. 32,215 units of the Cayenne model se-
ries and 24,494 vehicles of the new Panamera series
were produced at the Leipzig plant.
Customer satisfaction is the cornerstone of
business success. By designating its products “pre-
mium”, Porsche promises innovative technology, out-
standing handling characteristics and eye-catching
design as well as excellent quality.
During the reporting year, numerous awards
once again confirmed that Porsche’s models meet the
highest quality standards. In the USA, which remains
Porsche’s largest export market, the Initial Quality
Study conducted by market research institute J.D.
Power provided impressive testimony to this fact. In
June 2010, Porsche once again took first place in the
overall rating of this highly regarded survey which fo-
cuses on the quality of new cars. The survey rates
customers’ satisfaction in the first three months fol-
lowing delivery of their vehicles. After coming first
from 2006 to 2008 and second in 2009, Porsche
placed among the leaders for the fifth consecutive
year. In addition, the 911 sports car topped the Pre-
mium Sporty Car segment and was rated the second-
best vehicle in the study as a whole. In the Large
Premium Car segment, the new Panamera came third
against established competitors. Porsche also took
top honors in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study.
This prestigious brand survey polls owners of three-
year-old cars that were purchased new on the reliabil-
ity of their vehicles during the past twelve months.
In Germany, Porsche vehicles convinced test-
ers from DEKRA and TÜV. The 911 took first place in
the prestigious Autobild TÜV Report 2010 and honors
garnered by the Boxster included best sports car in
the eight- to nine-year-old vehicle category. In the cur-
rent quality survey conducted by technical inspection
organization DEKRA, the 911 is the best sports car
with mileage of over 100,000 kilometers. In the SUV
segment, the Cayenne came first in the 50,000 to
100,000 kilometer mileage category.
The high level of long-term customer satisfac-
tion revealed by these studies is the result of a com-
mitment to quality work. Even during product devel-
opment, particular attention is given to ways of ensur-
ing quality through the production process. Moreover,
suppliers are also involved in quality assurance.
Start-up of the new Cayenne
In the reporting period, the focus was on the
series start-up of the new Cayenne. This challenge
was mastered thanks to the outstanding skills, moti-
vation and flexibility of employees plus excellent plan-
ning. In particular, intensive planning was required to
integrate a hybrid drive into the sporty off-roader as
this forward-looking technology places entirely new
demands on production.
The cutting-edge logistics concept introduced
for the series start-up of the Panamera enables Por-
sche to further enhance productivity during the as-
sembly of the Cayenne as well. The systematic im-
plementation of lean production principles reduces
stock to an absolute minimum.
Another notable development is the assembly
of the Gran Turismo and the sporty off-roader on one
line at the Leipzig plant. Assembling two such differ-
ent vehicles places high demands on production plan-
ning and management.
Wide range of motors at Zuffenhausen
The engine plant in Zuffenhausen also saw a
large number of start-ups in rapid succession. These
included the new V6 engine for the Panamera and the
V8 engines for the new Cayenne. At the engine plant,
73