The Porsche factory in Leipzig is now the centre of excellence for Electromobility

A paint shop and further assembly and logistics operations have been implemented in the existing buildings. The site is now equipped to produce three different types of drive with great flexibility within the existing production line, namely for petrol, hybrid and all-electric cars. In 2024, the factory started ramping up production of the electric Macan.

This is now the fifth extension to the former assembly plant, which became a full factory in 2013 for the production of the first generation of the Macan when a body construction facility and a paint shop were built. Before this, two other extensions were carried out. In 2004, two years after production started, Porsche added a separate manufacturing area for the assembly of the Carrera GT. This was followed in 2009 by the construction of a production hall and a logistics centre for the first generation of the Panamera. Following the decision to manufacture the second generation of the Panamera completely in Leipzig from 2016 on, the fourth extension step was carried out at the site in Saxony. A quality-control centre was built in addition to a further body construction facility. Since the plant was founded in 2000, Porsche has so far invested a total of around 1.9 billion euros in the site.

At present, it produces around 550 Macan and Panamera models every day in three-shift operation. Since production started in 2002, more than two million cars have been manufactured at the Leipzig factory. The first Leipzig model was the Porsche Cayenne – a total of 738,503 units were assembled there between 2002 and 2017. From 2003 to 2006, an edition of the Carrera GT super sports car limited to 1,270 units was also produced at the site.

Since 2021, the Porsche factory in Leipzig has been operating net carbon neutral. For its lean management approaches coupled with environmental and sustainability aspects, the factory received the ‘Lean & Green Management Award’ in that same year. The site was also voted ‘Factory of the Year’ for 2023 by the Kearney corporate consulting firm in conjunction with event management company Süddeutscher Verlag Veranstaltungen and trade magazine Produktion.

With the new Macan, Porsche Leipzig integrated the axle preassembly at the site. The axles for the new generation of the Panamera are also produced here. The arrival of this production facility signifies an increase in the production expertise at the site and an investment in its future viability. Located in close proximity to the factory, the axle preassembly covers an area of around 15,000 m² and includes 24 production systems, 24 handling devices, 53 bolting technology systems and a conveyor system with 43 cars. The facility started series operation in 2023.

The focus is on people

A key success factor at Porsche is its workforce. The strong corporate culture is based on passion, pioneering spirit, performance and familial togetherness. Today, more than 4,600 people are employed at Porsche Leipzig. For the factory and its workforce, electromobility is not exactly a novelty. The first hybrid car from Porsche, the Cayenne S Hybrid, left the production line in Leipzig as far back as 2010. Over the years, the site has acquired the necessary know-how for working with alternative drivetrains. On its path to becoming a centre of excellence for electromobility, the sports car manufacturer also involved the entire workforce at an early stage and implemented comprehensive qualification measures for all-electric cars.

Shaping the future together: again and again, ideas for innovations come from the workforce. Porsche set up the ‘Porsche Ideas Management’ tool expressly for this purpose. It allows every employee to participate in what is happening in the company beyond the scope of their own set of tasks. With continuous improvement as its goal, Porsche Ideas Management is an integral part of the corporate culture and an established component of the organisational development.

In order to continue to be successful in the future, Porsche is looking for young people who have completed their education with dedication and a talent for technology. Each year, 30 school-leavers begin vocational training at Porsche Leipzig.

The following skilled occupations are currently offered (m/f/x):

• automotive mechatronics technician with focus on passenger car technology
• automotive mechatronics technician with focus on system and high-voltage technology
• mechatronics technician
• electronics technician for operating technology
• industrial mechanic – this also operates as a dual vocational training course with the secondary school leaving certificate (Abitur).

In this last case, the trainees receive further teaching at a vocational school, and after four years receive their general secondary school certificate along with their qualification as a skilled worker.

Milestones in the development of the factory