Report: Porsche Contemplating 911 Production Cut

DECLINING SALES brought about by the economic downturn may force German sportscar manufacturer Porsche to slow production of its 911 range for seven non-consecutive days at its Zuffenhausen factory.

Porsche previously cut production back in late 2008 over the Christmas break. Continuing soft sales may again see Porsche take action to avoid an inventory surplus.

A Porsche insider told Reuters: "We have to think about this if car sales continue to develop like this and do not recover again."

Others in the Porsche stable may not be affected. Tooling-up for production of the Panamera at Porsche's Leipzig factory means that business there will continue as usual.

At this stage, Reuters is reporting that no official decision has been made, but that the company is prepared to act quickly if such a measure "became necessary".

Sales of the 911 are down globally and in the Australian market. According to VFACTS figures, Australian Porsche dealers have reported a 49.6 percent drop in 911 sales year-to-date, 125 units - down from 248 for the same period last year.

It's a similar story at Porsche's subsidiary to be, Volkswagen, where production cuts are being carefully considered in response to dwindling demand.

Volkswagen is reportedly in talks with union officials and representatives to negotiate a shutdown for three weeks during the holiday period towards the end of the year.

Some 15,000 employees would be affected by such an undesirable but ultimately necessary move.