Key Takeaways:
- Porsche delivered 122,306 vehicles in H1 2026, down 16% year over year
- China sales plunged nearly a third as local competition and weak demand weighed
- The automaker is cutting 3,900 jobs by 2029 amid falling output
Key Takeaways:

Porsche AG delivered 122,306 vehicles in the first half, down 16% from a year earlier — its weakest six-month period since 2020.
"We are below the same period last year but in line with our expectations," Matthias Becker, board member for sales at Porsche, said.
Deliveries fell across all regions. China sales dropped nearly a third, while North America — Porsche's largest market — declined 13%. European deliveries excluding Germany fell 14%. The end of production of the gasoline-powered 718 model, tough comparisons from strong prior-year demand for the all-electric Macan, and the expiration of US tax incentives for electric vehicles all contributed to the decline.
The results add pressure on Chief Executive Officer Michael Leiters, who took over in January after leading manufacturing at Ferrari. Porsche was removed from Germany's benchmark DAX index earlier this year after its market value fell, and the company plans to cut about 3,900 jobs by 2029 as it adjusts to lower production volumes.
The decline mirrors a broader slowdown among German premium automakers in China, where weaker consumer demand and rising local competition are eroding sales. Mercedes-Benz said Wednesday that second-quarter car deliveries fell 8%, including a 30% drop in China. BMW has warned that weak Chinese demand will pressure its profit margin.
Porsche, traditionally one of Volkswagen AG's most profitable brands, has been an important contributor to group earnings, helping offset weaker returns from VW's mass-market operations. The Volkswagen-owned company's first-half delivery volume was its lowest since 2020, when the auto industry was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The delivery decline signals that Porsche's profitability faces mounting headwinds from both China's market slowdown and the costly transition to electric vehicles. Investors will watch the company's full-year earnings report for updated margin guidance and any further cost-cutting measures.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.