From the humble beginnings of the utilitarian Beetle, Porsche has transformed into a brand synonymous with luxury, speed, and precision engineering. This journey from a simple people's car to a manufacturer of superfast, handcrafted, and high-end vehicles is a testament to the vision and innovation of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and his lineage. Discover the remarkable transformation of Porsche, a tale of automotive excellence that has redefined the industry.
Ferdinand Porsche's career as a designer and engineer at Daimler's Austrian branch laid the foundation for his future endeavors. His designs were not only successful on the racetrack, boosting Daimler's reputation and sales, but also demonstrated his lifelong passion for compact cars. In 1923, Porsche became the technical director at Daimler's Stuttgart headquarters, and his son, Ferry Porsche, began to showcase his design talents at the company.
The Porsche family's move to Stuttgart marked the beginning of a powerful father-son partnership. However, after a merger with Benz and a shift in focus to luxury vehicles, Ferdinand Porsche left to establish his own design office in 1931, with Ferry joining him.
During the tumultuous 1930s in Germany, Adolf Hitler rose to power and prioritized the creation of an affordable car for the masses. Ferdinand Porsche's design for a small, air-cooled car with a rear-mounted engine won Hitler's approval, leading to the birth of the Volkswagen Beetle. Porsche's design prowess earned him favor with the Nazi regime, and he contributed to both civilian and military vehicle production.
However, the war's outcome led to Ferdinand Porsche's imprisonment as a war criminal, a period that took a toll on his health. Despite these challenges, Ferry Porsche managed to secure his father's release and continued to innovate in the automotive industry.
After World War II, Ferry Porsche established a workshop in Gmund, Austria, where he designed the Porsche 356. This vehicle, built on the Beetle's chassis, marked the first time the Porsche name was attached to a car. The 356 was a success, with nearly 78,000 units sold by 1965.
Ferry Porsche's improvements to the Beetle led to a mutually beneficial relationship with Volkswagen, which provided resources and support for Porsche's sports car production. This partnership continues to this day.
The introduction of the Porsche 911, a successor to the 356 with a powerful Carrera engine, solidified Porsche's reputation as a maker of high-performance sports cars. The 911 became the longest-running sports car in production, boasting an impressive 300 horsepower.
Under Ferry Porsche's leadership, the company transitioned to a corporation, with the Porsche and Piëch families maintaining control. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche took over after Ferry's death in 1998, continuing the family legacy.
Ferdinand Karl Piëch, a member of the Porsche family, played a significant role in Volkswagen's success, including the revival of the Beetle and the acquisition of luxury brands. His tenure at Volkswagen set the stage for Porsche's increased ownership in the company, eventually leading to a controlling interest.
Under Piëch's vision, Volkswagen produced the Bugatti Veyron, a supercar with a staggering 1,001 horsepower and a top speed of 253 miles per hour. Priced at over 1 million Euros, the Veyron is a handmade marvel, with only 500 units planned for production.
Today, the Porsche family's influence extends beyond their sports car business to include control over Volkswagen, the very company that produced Ferdinand Porsche's original Beetle. The combined might of Porsche and Volkswagen represents a formidable force in the automotive world.
In the spirit of Dr. Porsche, the family has elevated the Beetle's modest 23.5 horsepower to an astonishing 1,001 horsepower, all while maintaining a stronghold on the industry they helped shape.
Article by William Kurtz, October 17, 2008
The strategic alliance between Porsche and Volkswagen has led to shared technology, resources, and market strategies. This collaboration has been pivotal in Porsche's ability to maintain its high standards of performance and luxury while benefiting from Volkswagen's extensive distribution and support network.
More on the Four-Bar Variation of the Evening Star Candlestick Pattern
The Japanese Candlestick "Evening Star" pattern consists of three price bars in the classic version. It is a potent predictor of trend change. The four-bar variation is also a reliable forecaster of change in trend, and deserves to be recognized as a legitimate variation on the original.
Candlesticks Alone Are Only Half The Story
Japanese Candlestick financial price presentation is adept at spotting reversals of trend. The accurancy of the candles is enhanced by contemporaneous use of selected indicators; and is brought closer to perfection by an understanding and application of the relationships between the waves of the indicators.
Bottoms Up in the Stock Market
The major stock indexes are at a low. An upside reversal is due. The Russell 2000 and the S&P 600 may be leading the way.
