Porsche (China) Motors Ltd. kicks off in new name

Shanghai, September 16 (Gasgoo.com) Jebsen & Co. (China) Motors Ltd., a seven-year-old official Porsche importer for the Chinese market, was recently renamed Porsche (China) Motors Ltd., a subsidiary of German carmaker Porsche, said xinhuanet.com today. This landmark transition of its role is expected to boost Porsche sales in China, the world's second largest auto market.

Since it entered the China market in 2001, Porsche has adjusted the structure of Jebsen & Co. (China) Motors Ltd., the Porche import company in China, to meet the fast growing demands for this brand in China. The sales of Porsche vehicles have seen rapid growth in the past seven years, increasing from 386 units in 2004 to 2,305 units in 2006 and to more than 4,000 units in 2007.

But Porsche has its concerns about the Chinese market. Of the 4,000 Porche cars sold in China last year, only 300 units were of the 911 Turbo Cabriolet which really represents the tradition of Porsche sports cars, but the sales of Cayenne, a five-seat mid-sized SUV manufactured by Porsche since 2002, exceeded 3,000 units.

The German carmaker hopes that Chinese consumers will really see Porsche as a manufacturer of other luxury vehicles as well, more than an SUV maker. "China is playing an increasingly significant role and has now become one of Porsche's most important growth drivers worldwide," said the company’s head of sales and marketing earlier this year.

Porsche China has its China head office based in Shanghai. The company commenced operations in 2001 to support Porsche partners in China. There are currently about 20 appointed Porsche centers in major Chinese cities, with two in Beijing, and the number of Porche centers in China will reach 30 by the end of this year.