Porsche
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About Porsche
Founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, this legendary sports car manufcturer began life as an engineering and consulting firm based in Stutgart, Germany. Tasked by the German government to develop a simple and attainable car for the masses, Porsche developed the Type 1, known commonly as the Volkswagen Beetle today. There is some dispute regarding the true origins of the Type 1, many crediting the original design to Béla Barényi, the venerated inventor and engineer who produced technical drawings of a “people’s car” in 1925, more than a decade ahead of the Beetles 1938 arrival. Undisputed is the 1939 arrival of the Porsche 64 racecar, a vehicle most Porschephiles consider to be the first vehicle to bear the Porsche name. Utilizing modified Beetle hardware, only three examples were ever built with two still in existence today.
Porsche’s career path took him to the Chairman’s office at Volkswagen, a position he would hold until the end of World War II when the allies assumed control of the factory in post-war occupation. Later, Ferdinand’s son, Ferry Porsche, developed the prototype of what would become the Porsche 356. Produced first as a low-volume aluminum-bodied vehicle and later evolving into a steel-bodied version, the iconic 356 is considered by most to be the first Porsche production vehicle.
Today’s Porsche specializes in high-performance sports cars, sedans and SUVs. In an odd twist of the family tree, Porsche AG is technically owned by Volkswagen Group, which Porsche Automobil Holding SE is a majority stakeholder. The two manufacturers always enjoyed a close relationship—helping to build cars like the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 64, as well as collaborating on cars like the Porsche 914—but it wasn’t until 2015 that the German manufacturers officially merged.
Today, Porsche produces the iconic 911 sportscar, in various trims; the entry-level mid-engine 718 coupe and convertible; the Cayenne and Macan SUVs; the Panamera sedan and; the sporty all-electric Taycan sedan.
