Porsche not planning to build cars in U.S. for now
WEISSACH, Germany, June 9 (Reuters) - German sports car maker Porsche (PSHG_p.DE) currently has no plans to build sports cars in the dollar region, where Volkswagen is currently examining whether to build a new assembly and engine plant.
"We've always said Porsche is a product 'Made in Germany'," Porsche production boss Michael Macht told reporters, adding he saw at present "no necessity" to begin manufacturing cars at a new location outside of its current production network.
Moreover, there were currently no plans to expand its cooperation with Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) beyond the projects already announced.
Porsche is the largest shareholder in VW with 31 percent of the votes and it plans to acquire majority control later this year once it receives the prerequisite regulatory approvals.
Macht added that the company was on schedule with next year's launch of its brand new four-door Panamera coupe.
"Production will start towards the end of the next fiscal year, that means then mid-2009," he said.
Porsche's coming fiscal year starts on August 1. (Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner)
