China to become Porsche's largest market in 5 years, top sales official says

Shanghai. November 6 (Gasgoo.com) The marketing chief of Porsche, Klaus Bernig, has told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport that he expects the company's sales in China to surpass the sales in its domestic market within the next five years, according to a Deutsche Welle report.

"The United States is our largest market, which represents 38 percent of our total sales volume and Germany represents 17 percent of our total sales. However the sales in Chinese market are skyrocketing. We expect China to become Porsche's largest market worldwide within the next five years," Berning said.

The means Porsche's sales in Chinese market would grow at least five times to reach this target. Porsche had expected to sell at least 3,500 units in Chinese market this year, but it is widely believed that at least 4000 units would be sold in China this year.

Last year, Porsche sold 17,500 units in German market and it has sold 14,400 units in the first nine months this year, up 3.5 percent from one year earlier.

Bernig also told the magazine that the Indian market offers similar potential for growth, but it would take India 10-15 years to catch up with China in Porsche sales. He also expects to sell 2,000 Porsche vehicles in Russia market this year.

It is estimated that by 2012, Porsche will be able to produce 140,000 units, which will include 25,000 units of Panamera, 44,200 units of Canyenne, 35,300 units of Porsche 911 and 22,000 units of Porsche Boxter and 137,000 units of Cayman.