The history of Porsche is closely tied to Volkswagen. In the early days, Porsche was an engineering consultancy founded in 1931 by the German-Czech engineer Ferdinand Porsche and his partner Adolf Rosenberger.
The firm gained prominence after leading the design of the Volkswagen Beetle and other popular models for different manufacturers.
Before launching his own company, Ferdinand worked as chief designer for Austro-Daimler. After moving to Stuttgart, he became technical director at Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. His son, Ferry Porsche, showed an early interest in design and was permitted to stay with him at the Daimler plant.
Ferdinand had a preference for compact cars. Daimler supported this, until the merger of Mercedes and Daimler into Daimler-Benz, which shifted focus to luxury Mercedes-Benz models.
His work was cut short, leading him to start his own consultancy in 1931, with Ferry by his side. Ferry helped manage testing, design team coordination, and client relations.
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Porsche’s first ever production model
From the mid-1930s until 1945, the release of the VW Beetle’s designed by Ferdinand was delayed. After World War II, both Ferdinand and Ferry were arrested and charged with war crimes for their involvement in Hitler’s wartime projects and the use of forced labor.
They were each charged a bail of 500,000 francs, without a trial. The family could only afford to release Ferry, while Ferdinand remained in prison.
Ferry took over the business, driven to carry on the Porsche name and raise money to free his father. At first, he set up a repair division for cars, water pumps, and winches. A few years later, the company secured a contract to design a race car for a racing team.
This project produced the Porsche 360, which never raced. But at the same time, the company was developing the Porsche 356, its first production car.
The 356 featured a unique chassis but used Volkswagen components for its body. It carried a rear-mounted 4-cylinder engine producing 35 hp.
The 356 transformed Porsche from a respected design office into a recognized car manufacturer. Its distinctive silhouette became the foundation of Porsche’s sports car identity. By the time production ended in 1965, 78,000 units had been sold.
Ferry’s motto was: “to produce vehicles that were reliable, high-quality sports cars and of high utilitarian value.” And that’s what he did.
The 911 is born
Thanks to the 356’s success and Porsche’s racing reputation, the company began developing a successor for the 356.
The original design was named the 901, but Peugeot had already trademarked model numbers with a “0” in the middle of 2 numbers (x0x). So Porsche had to rename the new design and called it the 911.
Released in 1964, the 911 instantly became Porsche’s flagship. Its timeless design evolved over the decades but retained the same rear-mounted engine layout and iconic silhouette. Even after 60 years, it’s still the heart of the brand.
Expanding the line up
The success of the 911 led Porsche to explore new ideas. At one point, the company planned to replace the 911 with the 928, its first V8-powered model.
Although the 928 found an audience, the 911’s enduring popularity and strong sales convinced CEO Peter Schutz to keep developing the model.
That decision is what has kept the Porsche 911 alive till this day.
Porsche Boxster/Cayman
In 1996, Porsche launched the Boxster, a mid-engine 2 seater convertible. It was designed as a more affordable entry point into Porsche ownership. The Boxster quickly became Porsche’s best-seller until the Cayenne arrived.
The Cayman, introduced in 2005, was the coupe version of the Boxster, offering similar driving and handling dynamics in a closed-roof design.
Porsche Panamera
In 2009, Porsche surprised the world again with the Panamera, its first four-door sedan. Taking its shape and silhouette from the 911, it combined performance with space, comfort, and technologically advanced features.
The market reception was mixed. Purists hated seeing the Porsche shape on a 4 door, but the ones that took the leap loved the driving experience and how close it felt to a 911.
Sales proved strong, and the Panamera lineup has since expanded to include hybrids like the Turbo E-Hybrid.
Porsche enters the SUV market
Porsche Cayenne
By the late 1990s, Porsche had solidified its reputation as a maker of premium sports cars. Nobody expected the brand to step into the SUV segment. At least, not at that point. But in 2002, they did exactly that, and shocked the automotive world.
The Cayenne wasn’t just another utility vehicle. It carried Porsche’s trademark performance, attention to detail, and engineering standards into a completely new class.
The result was an SUV that could produce up to 521 hp, dominate on paved roads, and still hold its own off-road thanks to Porsche’s advanced traction management and suspension systems.
Despite the shock, the Cayenne became a massive success. It opened the brand to a much wider audience and, more importantly, became the model credited with saving the company financially.
Porsche Macan
Building on the Cayenne’s success, Porsche doubled down with a more compact SUV, the Macan. The Macan was designed for customers who wanted the Cayenne’s handling and power in a city-friendly size.
The Macan was an instant hit. Since launch, it has outsold every other Porsche model worldwide. In 2024, the second-generation Macan EV, sold alongside the first-gen model, marking another step toward an electric future.
Together, the Cayenne and Macan are important models in the company’s lineup. While the Porsche 911 remains the heart and soul of the brand, SUVs have become its money makers.
Porsche today
Almost a century after the first 356, Porsche has become a household name. From the 911 GT3, built for the track to the Cayenne bringing Porsche’s performance to the SUV segment, the brand now has an answer for most car segments.
Globally, Porsche transformed into a luxury and lifestyle brand. While its cars remain the center of its business, the brand now carries exclusivity and identity. Even for non-owners, the Porsche crest symbolizes excellence and ambition.
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