Last Call for the Gas Macan: Porsche Ramps Up Production Before Final Farewell
Porsche Macan is entering its final chapter, but Porsche isn’t letting it go quietly. After the discontinuation of the Porsche 718 Boxster and Porsche 718 Cayman in late 2025, the brand has confirmed that production of the combustion-powered Macan will officially end this summer.
Rather than gradually winding down output, Porsche is taking a different approach at its Leipzig plant in Germany. The company is accelerating production and building as many units as possible before the line shuts down. According to Jochen Breckner, Porsche’s Board Member for Finance and IT, the goal is to stockpile inventory based on production capacity and supplier availability. This strategy could allow the Macan to remain available in certain markets until as late as 2027.
Despite being on the market for over a decade, the original Macan continues to perform strongly—particularly in the United States. Porsche describes demand as “great,” and the company is prioritizing deliveries to that market. This move is also intended to offset slower-than-expected demand for the electric successor, especially after the discontinuation of the federal $7,500 EV tax credit, which has impacted affordability for many buyers.
Interestingly, the aging gasoline Macan is still outselling its all-electric counterpart. In the first quarter of 2026, Porsche delivered over 10,000 units of the ICE version—more than 2,000 units ahead of the EV model. This highlights both the enduring appeal of the original and the challenges Porsche faces in transitioning customers to electric vehicles.
However, the gap left by the Macan won’t be filled immediately. A new gasoline-powered crossover, positioned below the Porsche Cayenne, is currently in development and expected to arrive in 2028. Part of a €1 billion collaboration with Audi, the upcoming model will share its foundation with the Audi Q5 but promises to deliver a distinctly Porsche driving experience.
Porsche CEO Michael Leiters has emphasized that the new SUV will not simply be a rebadged Q5. Instead, it will feature unique engineering, design, and technology elements that align with the brand’s performance-focused identity—though these enhancements require additional development time.
It’s worth noting that the current Macan has already been withdrawn from the European Union since mid-2024 due to new cybersecurity regulations, limiting its availability in one of Porsche’s key markets. Even so, its continued global demand suggests the model could have remained successful for longer under different circumstances.
As part of the Volkswagen Group, Porsche has the resources and strategic partnerships needed to navigate this transition period. With a new combustion crossover and an upcoming three-row SUV in the pipeline, the brand is positioning itself to regain momentum—especially in challenging markets like China—while balancing its shift toward electrification.
