Porsche evaluating EV future-value program

AMID global concerns about the longer-term resale values of electric vehicles, and the lower-than-expected residual values of the electric Porsche Taycan in some markets, Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is evaluating the introduction of a Guarantee Future Value (GFV)-type arrangement for its all-electric Macan SUV to ensure it can maintain the brand’s reputation for robust retained values once these vehicles leave the showroom.

Speaking to Go Auto at the Australian static reveal of the new-generation, all-electric Macan, a PCA spokesperson said they are in the process of discussing how to best assuage any customer concerns about the global uncertainty surrounding the life expectancy of electric vehicles once their battery warranty expires.

“As the automotive industry evolves, we recognise the importance of providing peace of mind and transparency to our customers, particularly as they embrace new technologies such as electric vehicles,” said the PCA spokesperson.

“We are constantly exploring ways to enhance the ownership experience for our customers and Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) programs and Porsche Approved are certainly something we are considering as part of our ownership experience for the all-electric Macan.

“While I cannot confirm specific details or timelines for such a program at this time, I can assure you that we are actively evaluating various options to ensure that our customers have access to the best ownership experience possible with the all-electric Macan and that we are looking at ways to provide assurance to customers by providing clarity on the resale or trade-in value of their vehicle at the end of the ownership period.”

This GFV program is currenting under evaluation solely for electric Macan, but in the future could potentially be implemented for the facelifted Taycan EV, arriving in Australian Porsche showrooms in August, as well as the new Taycan Turbo GT flagship, due to arrive in the final quarter of 2024.

Internationally, the Taycan has been the subject of media attention due to its lower-than-expected retained value compared to combustion-engined Porsche models, though a May 2024 article published by Carwow in the UK, using data supplied by vehicle valuation company CAP, failed to mention the Porsche Taycan in the Top 10 highest-depreciating EVs.

Instead, the Taycan’s under-the-skin relative – the Audi e-tron GT – finished at number eight with 27 percent of its value lost after 12 months and 16,000km in the UK, with the Renault Megane E-Tech, GWM Ora, Mercedes-Benz EQB, Volvo C40, Toyota bZ4X, Lexus UX300e and Citroen e-C4 all finishing higher up the list of greatest-depreciating EVs.

In Australia, according to Red Book, the MY25 Porsche Taycan’s projected three-year retained value hovers between a low of 56.0 percent for the $374,200 Turbo S sedan and a high of 60.0 percent for the $216,300 Taycan 4S sedan and $224,000 4S Cross Turismo.

That’s relatively close to the combustion-engined MY25 Panamera sedan, which has a three-year low of 59.0 percent for the $268,700 E-Hybrid AWD and $297,200 4S E-Hybrid AWD, and 65.0 percent for the $413,100 Turbo E-Hybrid AWD.

Porsche Australia’s best-performing vehicle for three-year retained value is its flagship sports car, the 911. At its lowest, the 911 retains 65.8 percent of its value for the $316,400 911 Targa while the best performer is the $417,400 911 GTS at 72.5 percent – placing the GTS among the top handful of retained values in Australia.

The three-year retained values for 718 Boxster and Cayman span 66.8 to 69.3 percent, while Porsche’s SUVs span 68.8 to 69.8 percent for the outgoing combustion-engined Macan, and 66.8 to 69.3 percent for the MY25 Cayenne.

Going forward, electrification of the Porsche Australia line-up is set to expand significantly, and according to Stephan Lenschow, PAG Director Bodysystem and Product Line for the Macan, who also spoke at the new Macan’s Australian reveal, Porsche AG’s global ambition is that by 2030, around 80 per cent of its sales volume will be accounted for by electric vehicles.

As for meeting Australia’s strict 2028 New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES), PCA’s spokesperson said, “We are confident that Australians will continue to love Porsche sports cars, be they petrol internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrid or battery electric sports cars”.

“The introduction of the all-electric Macan and other hybrids is strategically aligned with our commitment to meeting New Vehicle Emissions Standards requirements,” they added.

“By offering a diverse range of electrified powertrain options across our product line-up, including hybrids and all-electric models like the Macan, we provide customers with the flexibility to choose the right vehicle that suits their lifestyle and values (while meeting) regulatory requirements.”

Top 10 best-to-worst projected three-year retained values*:

*Source Red Book