07:06 25-12-2025

Porsche to build Macan-like plug-in hybrid crossover M1 in Leipzig

Porsche is preparing to launch a second compact crossover powered by an internal-combustion engine with a plug-in hybrid system. The move follows a slower-than-anticipated rise in demand for electric vehicles. The newcomer, developed in the Macan mold and carrying the working code M1, is slated to arrive closer to the end of the decade.

The company says the project has been approved by the executive board and the supervisory board of Porsche AG. Production is planned for the Leipzig plant, which currently builds the Panamera and Macan. Today’s Macan is fully electric, while the previous gasoline generation remains in production for now, though it will be phased out because it does not meet new EU cybersecurity requirements.

Porsche notes that Leipzig already has experience assembling models with different powertrains in parallel, which makes the rollout look straightforward. Launch timing and investment figures have not been disclosed. The decision also reflects softer sales in China and lower utilization at the plant. Taken together, the project signals a refreshed strategy that doesn’t rely solely on battery-electric models but also makes room for new vehicles with conventional and hybrid powertrains—a pragmatic course for a market still finding its equilibrium.