Porsche

Year of foundation 1931

Origins and Birth (1931-1948)

Porsche's history begins not with the production of automobiles, but with the founding of a design and engineering firm.

1931: On April 25, Austrian engineer Ferdinand Porsche founded "Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH, Konstruktion und Beratung für Motoren und Fahrzeuge" (Limited Liability Company for Engine and Vehicle Design and Consulting) in Stuttgart, Germany. Its primary objective was to provide engineering and consulting services for the automotive industry. Among Ferdinand Porsche's first and most famous projects was the design and development of the Volkswagen Beetle.

1945: After World War II, Ferdinand Porsche was arrested and imprisoned in France on charges of war crimes. During his imprisonment, his son Ferry Porsche took over the reins of the company, which had since moved to Gmünd, Austria.

1948: While his father was still in prison, Ferry Porsche realized his dream of building a sports car under the family brand. The Porsche 356/1 Roadster was born, the first prototype bearing the Porsche name. It was a light and agile car, with an air-cooled boxer engine derived from the Beetle, centrally mounted for better balance. This prototype marked the official beginning of the Porsche automobile company.

Early Successes and the 356 Era (1948-1964)
1949: After Ferdinand Porsche's return to Stuttgart, production of the 356 was moved to Germany. The car was an immediate success, thanks to its handling, light weight, and reliability. The 356, which evolved into several versions (A, B, C), became a symbol of elegance and sportiness.

1950s: Porsche established itself in the world of racing, with the 356 achieving significant victories and awards, particularly in the 1.5-liter class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

1962: Production of the 356 reached 50,000 units.

The Birth of a Legend: the 911 (1963-1990)
The early 1960s marked a decisive turning point for Porsche.

1963: The car that would define the brand forever was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show: the Porsche 901. Designed by Ferdinand Alexander "Butzi" Porsche, son of Ferry, the car retained the architecture with a rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engine but introduced a more modern design and a 2+2 configuration.

1964: Due to a naming dispute with Peugeot, which had trademarked all three-digit abbreviations with a central zero, the car was renamed the Porsche 911. Thus began production and the incredible history of this iconic model.

1970s:

1970-1971: In motorsport, the Porsche 917 dominated the World Sportscar Championship, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans for two consecutive years.

1974: The first 911 Turbo was introduced, a model that combined extreme performance with the comfort of a Grand Tourer, becoming a dream car for many enthusiasts.

1976: To address a financial crisis, Porsche launched the 924, a front-engined, water-cooled entry-level model originally developed for Volkswagen. Despite its commercial success, the 924 was often viewed with skepticism by brand purists.

1977: The Porsche 928 is introduced, a large, front-engined, V8 coupé, initially conceived as a replacement for the 911. Although unsuccessful, the 928 won the prestigious European "Car of the Year" award in 1978 and remained in production for nearly 20 years.

1980s:

1981: Porsche introduces the 944, a more powerful and more Porsche-esque version of the 924, which achieves great sales success.

1986: The Porsche 959 is produced, a technologically advanced and futuristic super sports car that introduces all-wheel drive and numerous electronic systems, laying the foundation for future high-performance vehicles.

The 911 continues to evolve with the G-Model versions, and subsequently with the 964, which modernizes the design and introduces power steering and ABS brakes.

Crisis, Rebirth, and Diversification (1990-2010)
1990s: The decade begins with a severe financial crisis for Porsche, due to high production costs and declining sales. The turning point comes with the introduction of new strategies.

1996: The Boxster is launched, a mid-engine roadster that shares components with the 911, allowing it to rationalize production costs and attract a new customer base.

1997: The 911 switches to liquid cooling with the 996 series, a radical change that sparks controversy but proves crucial to the brand's survival.

2000s: For the first time in its history, Porsche enters new market segments to increase sales volumes and profits.

2002: The Cayenne, a luxury SUV, is launched. The decision raises objections among purists, but it proves a commercial success.