Porsche to hire over 1,400 employees to build electric cars
27 Jul 2016
Porsche's electric car, the Mission E, debuted last December as a luxury model that would take on the likes of Tesla's Model S. The company said 1,000 new jobs would be created to realise the concept vehicle.
According to commentators, more investment in the electric concept reflected a change in philosophy for the formerly combustion engine-only company. "You either take part in the digital change or you lose," Porsche labour boss Uwe Hueck told reporters at a briefing yesterday, Reuters reported. In addition to the 1,400 employees dedicated to the Model E, an additional 350 digital experts would be hired to establish a unit to develop mobility concepts and uncover new business areas.
Porsche plans to start rolling its electric cars out of its Zuffenhausen plant in 2019. Even as the the company turned down calls to specify production targets, Hueck said the company would need to sell 10,000 units per year to make a profit.
Porsche is part of the Volkwagen group with includes Audi and Volkswgen. In a recent announcement Volkswagen said it planned for over 30 new models brand-wide by 2025, including 2 million to 3 million all-electric vehicles. The Mission E, Porsche's first all-electric car, was one of the first of VW Group's long-range e-cars.
According to Porsche, the Mission E would have a range greater than 310 miles. According to electrek.co, since Porsche was a German company, the range statement was likely based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) rating, not the more realistic EPA rating.
The Mission E's all-electric powertrain would comprise two electric motors, one each for the front and rear wheels.
The 800-volt motor combination was expected to accelerate to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
According to Porsche, the system was capable of getting an 80 per cent charge in just 15 minutes.
