Former Porsche CEO Oliver Blume admits making second-generation Macan all-electric was misjudgment, new combustion/hybrid SUV launching 2028 in same segmentCurrent combustion Macan continues production through 2026, new replacement SUV with very short development times likely based on Audi Q5 PPC platformPorsche also reconsidering all-electric 718 replacement, reportedly working on retrofitting 4.0-liter flat-six into PPE platform not designed for combustion engines Car companies were more excited about the prospects for EVs in the early 2020s when government mandates and optimistic projections suggested rapid electric adoption. Porsche didn't go all-in with a pledge to be completely electric by 2030 like some competitors. The German brand targeted 80% with a carve-out for the 911, recognizing that some models would need to remain combustion-powered indefinitely. But Porsche did make a bold bet on electric vehicle technology. The brand decided to go all-electric with its best-selling vehicle, the Macan, for its second generation run. That decision now looks premature given market realities. Oliver Blume, who was CEO at Porsche for that decision and is currently the CEO at Volkswagen, admitted that the German brand "misjudged the situation" with the Macan. Blume stepped down from his role at Porsche on January 1, allowing him to speak more candidly about strategic mistakes made during his tenure. Taking the Macan all-electric was a mistake Blume gave an interview to the German outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung where he confirmed that, with hindsight, Porsche made the wrong decision to make the second-generation Macan all-electric exclusively. "Our strategy was to offer a range of combustion engine, hybrid, and electric sports cars in each of our three segments – but not necessarily for every single product," Blume explained. "We misjudged the situation with the Macan. Based on the data and market assessments available at the time, we would have made the same decision again. Today, the situation is different. And we have reacted accordingly, adding both combustion engine and hybrid options." The admission is remarkable coming from a former CEO willing to acknowledge strategic errors publicly. Most executives defend decisions made under their leadership regardless of outcomes. Blume's honesty suggests Porsche recognizes the severity of the miscalculation and wants to reassure customers that corrections are underway. The Macan Electric has already hit dealers as planned. But Porsche has never presented that to buyers as the only option going forward, learning from the mistake before it became catastrophic. Porsche is keeping the current combustion-powered Macan in production through 2026, giving buyers alternatives while the company develops proper replacement.And the German brand has confirmed that while the Macan nameplate will go electric permanently, Porsche will launch a new SUV in the same segment to effectively replace it in 2028. This new model will offer combustion and hybrid versions, giving Porsche flexibility to react to the market however it plays out over the next several years. We know the new SUV will launch with combustion and hybrid versions rather than electric-only configuration. Porsche has not provided many details about the new SUV yet beyond confirming its existence. However, the brand did note that it would have "very short development times," suggesting accelerated timeline to correct the strategic error quickly.That could indicate that the new SUV will be based on the new Audi Q5 which just moved to the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). Platform sharing would dramatically reduce development costs and timelines compared to creating bespoke architecture, allowing Porsche to bring the model to market faster while maintaining acceptable profit margins.
