Porsche's production of its highly-anticipated Panamera four-door Gran Turismo is going full speed at the company's newest plant in Leipzig, Germany - a facility considered to be one of world's most modern automotive factories. Final assembly of the new Panamera - which will go on sale in the United States on October 17 - started in April of this year with initial production going to European markets. The cars are produced alongside the Cayenne sports utility vehicle using the most state-of-the-art production methods.

Originally built for the final assembly of the Cayenne only six years ago, Porsche has invested more than 150 million euros in the Leipzig facility for the Panamera, creating a new assembly hall, a logistics center, a pilot and analysis center, and a training facility. In conjunction with the new construction, Porsche implemented a new advanced logistics process and concept for the assembly method of the new Panamera. The new process includes a strict adherence to a just-in-time procedure in which the scheduling of suppliers is coordinated in an exacting manner. Suppliers are able to deliver parts in time and at a very high frequency - in most cases just one hour prior to being used on the production line. This means expensive and cumbersome storage areas are virtually eliminated.

"I know of no other factory anywhere in the world in which the principles of lean production have been as consistently implemented as here in Leipzig," said Michael Macht, Board member in charge of production and logistics.

Macht calls the production of the two vehicles, the Cayenne and Panamera, on one production line a significant feat in automotive logistics. For example, the engines for both models are brought to Leipzig via truck from Porsche's sole engine plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. The partially equipped Cayenne bodies come by rail from Bratislava while the painted Panamera bodies travel from the Volkswagen plant in Hanover. In Leipzig the interior of the Panamera is first assembled on a singular line. Then, when both the Cayenne and Panamera have reached the same status in manufacturing, they are completed on one single line - a remarkable feat when you consider the countless individual options and configurations for each model.

Porsche's Leipzig factory currently employs some 600 workers who are expected to build approximately 20,000 Panameras annually over the life cycle of Porsche's first four-door sports car.

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., is the exclusive importer of Porsche sports cars and sport utility vehicles for the United States. It is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. PCNA employs approximately 180 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 202 dealers. The dealers, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service. Throughout its 60-year history, Porsche has developed numerous technologies that have advanced vehicle performance, improved safety and spurred environmental innovations within the automotive industry. The company continues to celebrate its heritage by adding to its long list of motorsports victories dating back to its first 24 Hours of Le Mans class win in 1951. Today, with more than 28,000 victories, Porsche is recognized as the world's most successful brand in sports car racing. PCNA, which imports the iconic 911 series, the Boxster and Cayman sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the U.S., strives to maintain a standard of excellence, commitment and distinction synonymous with its brand.