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Federal Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel: “The new Porsche factory in Leipzig demonstrates that the industry has a future in Germany and Europe.” Opening ceremony for new Porsche Macan plant in Leipzig today

Stuttgart/Leipzig . Five hundred high-ranking guests from politics, industry and culture attended the official opening of the Porsche plant in Leipzig today. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG constructed the plant at a total cost of about 500 million euro. The plant, which was designed to meet special environmental criteria, was expanded for the production of the new Porsche Macan* and includes a body shop and an ultra-modern paint shop. During the opening ceremony Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG stated, “The fact that Porsche has invested half a billion euro in the Leipzig plant in addition to the original 250 million euro, thus creating 1,500 new jobs, makes one thing clear: we are totally convinced in the qualities of this location and that the Macan will be a marketing success.” The opening ceremony included a stage production presented by Leipzig musicians, actors and Porsche employees who guided the audience on a journey through the history of German and Saxon automotive history.

In his speech, Federal Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel emphasised the significance of the choice of location. He said, “The new Porsche plant in Leipzig shows that the industry has a future in Germany and Europe. This is important because the industry is the backbone of our economy. Cars are shipped from Leipzig all over the world. Our automotive industry is a global leader, in particular in the luxury car segment. That must remain so. The key to this is innovation. We must continue to build the most modern, safest and most environmentally friendly cars. In the long term, this will create and safeguard sustainable jobs.”

The Porsche plant expansion is regarded as a logistics tour de force. It took roughly two years from start to finish. In Matthias Müller’s words, “At this point I would like to thank all the employees and suppliers who were involved in completing the expansion of the Leipzig Porsche location. My thanks also go to the authorities of the Free State of Saxony and the City of Leipzig.”

For Stanislaw Tillich, Minister-President of Saxony, Leipzig is a perfect example that a region must have the right location factors. Then it can become a magnet to attract industry and provide secure jobs: “Porsche and Saxony – the two make a perfect match. That’s because Saxony is a region of inventors and engineers and Porsche has gained a reputation for the highest level of innovative capability. The latest product of this outstanding innovation is the Porsche Macan.”

Among the guests was the Mayor of Leipzig, Burkhard Jung and Porsche AG representatives including Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Uwe Hück, Chairman of the Group Works Council, all members of the Executive Board Volkswagen. Volkswagen AG was represented by Dr. Ferdinand K. Piëch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management.

* Porsche Macan model line: combined fuel consumption 9,2 - 6,1 l/100 km; CO2 emissions
216 - 159 g/km; efficiency class: E-B (depending on tyre size)

GO

11.02.2014