We mourned the 718’s demise this month, but another Porsche is also nearing the end of the line. Less exciting but more important to a faltering balance sheet, the first-generation Macan wasn’t long for this world. It has had a strong performance: 12 years of production to date, with around 1 million units built. Sure, some of these models were second-generation, electric-only models, but the internal combustion version did most of the heavy lifting.
Porsche discontinued the gas Macan in most European countries last year. Not by choice but by necessity. Model It failed to meet new cybersecurity requirements Under the General Safety Regulation (GSR2) that came into force in July 2024, forcing it to withdraw from EU markets.
Globally, the writing is on the wall. Production of the original Macan will end in less than a year. CFO Jochen Brickner revealed during the third-quarter earnings call that the last units will roll off the line around mid-2026. However, he did not rule out the possibility that remaining stock could keep the model alive in markets outside the EU until 2027.
The importance of the first generation Macan cannot be overstated. In 2023, the last year of full availability, it was Porsche’s second best seller, with 87,355 units, just behind second place. cayenne For only 198. While its profit margins couldn’t match those of the 911, moving tens of thousands of crossovers annually was a vital source of revenue.
Photo by: Porsche
Usually, when a model bows, its successor is already waiting. But not this time. Porsche It initially had no plans to replace the gas-powered Macan, assuming customers would naturally switch to the new electric version. However, I have since realized that there is still strong demand for an affordable combustion-powered crossover that sits below the Cayenne.
Since such a successor was not originally planned, it will not be ready when production of the current Macan ends in mid-2026. Before stepping down as CEO, Oliver Blume confirmed that a replacement is in the works, and is scheduled to Arriving by 2028 With gasoline and hybrid engines.
What should we expect? Porsche says the model “will benefit from synergies” within the Volkswagen Group, hinting at mechanical links with New Audi Q5which uses Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). This would reflect how the outgoing Macan adapted the MLB structure from the previous Q5.
Photo by: Porsche
However, with the original Macan ending in 2026 and not being replaced until 2028, Porsche will face a two-year gap in one of its most important segments. It’s a rare misstep from Zuffenhausen, but taking advantage of the Q5’s platform should help speed things up.
When it finally arrives, the new crossover won’t be called the Macan, leaving only the electric vehicle to carry the name forward. According to Blume, it will be “a very, very typical Porsche for this class and also different from the EV Macan.”
With the support of the Volkswagen Group, Porsche has the flexibility to overcome this gap. However, the next few years will not be smooth at all, with US tariffs and declining sales in China combining to create a perfect storm.
