April - June

Porsche takes the "Magic Flute" to JapanPremium meets Premium: Sports car manufacturer sponsors Stuttgart State Opera

Stuttgart. With Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, as its lead sponsor, the opera ensemble of the Baden-Württemberg state capital will be appearing in Tokyo for several days. This was announced at a press conference today by the Stuttgart State Opera. On the invitation of the leading Japanese newspaper "Asahi Shimbun" and the Bunkamura cultural center, a total of 205 artistes from Stuttgart will give three performances of Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" in February 2006. This event is a premiere in two respects: this is both the first time that the State Opera is traveling to Japan to give a guest performance, and also the first time that Porsche is providing financial support for a performance outside Germany by the renowned opera company.

The motto for this cooperation between the opera house and the automobile manufacturer is "Premium meets Premium": Both partners have earned great international recognition in their respective areas through their first-class performance. Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking, CEO of Porsche AG, said: "The Stuttgart State Opera and Porsche both represent a unique combination of perfection and emotion. The opera's musical performances are as fascinating an experience for cultural connoisseurs as driving a sporty Porsche vehicle is for our customers. Our partnership will help to cement Stuttgart's excellent reputation in Japan as a cultural capital and a stronghold of technological superiority."

The State Opera's guest performance is taking place as part of "Germany Year in Japan". This is a series of events organized by the German Federal Foreign Office, which is offering Japan a comprehensive impression of the Federal Republic of Germany from April 2005 to March 2006. With around 750 individual events in the areas of economics, science and culture, the aim of this program is to increase awareness of Germany in the Japanese consciousness, in order to sustainably strengthen the close relations between the two countries.

A group of prominent Japanese culture and music journalists are currently visiting Stuttgart to get their own impression of the State Opera and the automobile manufacturer in the run-up to the guest appearance. Among other things, they will attend a performance of "The Magic Flute" at the Stuttgart Opera House and visit Porsche's main plant in Zuffenhausen to see how the 911 and the Boxster are produced.

Japan also plays an important strategic role for Porsche – this is the country with by far the largest single market in Asia. In the current 2004/05 financial year, the Company is expecting to sell around 3,000 vehicles here. In particular, the classic 911 and Boxster series sports cars are in great demand in Japan. For this reason, Porsche is committed to promoting good relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and Japan.

Economic success and recognition of social responsibility are inextricably linked at Porsche. This is why the Stuttgart automobile manufacturer has been supporting social and cultural interests in various ways for several years now – particularly in the vicinities of its two plants. For example, at its Leipzig location, where the Cayenne and the Carrera GT are produced, Porsche paid for the restoration of the famous Ladegast Organ at the Church of St. Nikolai. The Company is also extremely active as a sponsor of cultural events in the region around its Stuttgart headquarters in Zuffenhausen: this year, its projects include "Tübingen Summer Theater", which is being organized by the Zimmertheater in the university city from July 29 to August 14.

GO

10.06.2005