Porsche Faces Rocky Road as New CEO Takes the Wheel

Porsche, one of Europe’s most iconic sports car brands, is bracing for a turbulent chapter as its outgoing CEO Oliver Blume prepares to deliver his final quarterly report this Friday. Analysts predict a 611-million-euro operating loss, highlighting mounting challenges from slumping demand in China, costly delays in the electric vehicle rollout, and continued pressure from U.S. tariffs.

After a decade at the helm, Blume hands over the keys to Michael Leiters, the former McLaren and Ferrari executive, in January. Porsche hopes his experience with high-end performance vehicles will revive the brand’s allure, especially in China, where sales have dropped by more than half compared to 2022.

A Market in Turmoil

Since its 2022 IPO, Porsche has seen its market value shrink by roughly 50%, reflecting broader struggles in Europe’s beleaguered automotive sector. Margins that once soared to 18% have fallen to around 2%, underlining the cost pressures from EV development and operational inefficiencies. Analysts estimate Porsche faces up to 1.8 billion euros in expenses tied to delays in bringing new electric models to market.

The company has already undertaken significant workforce reductions, including 2,000 temporary roles this year, with plans to cut 1,900 permanent jobs over the coming years as part of a restructuring program. Deliveries in China—a crucial luxury market—have fallen to 32,195 vehicles in the first nine months of 2025, a stark decline from prior years.

Petrol vs. Electric: The Road Ahead

For Porsche, the challenge is twofold: managing the transition to electric vehicles while maintaining the brand’s performance heritage. High tariffs in the U.S. are manageable, but winning back Chinese consumers and convincing them to embrace electric models is far more complex. The company must redefine what premium buyers want without diluting its identity as a maker of high-performance sports cars.

Turning the Tide

Industry observers note that recovery could take three to five years. Leiters’ mandate is clear: revitalize Porsche’s global appeal, accelerate the EV transition, and restore profitability while retaining the thrill of petrol-powered performance. The path forward will require careful balancing of innovation, brand heritage, and consumer expectations in a market undergoing rapid change.

Porsche’s next chapter will test not only its engineering prowess but also its ability to navigate one of the most challenging transitions in automotive history.