Here’s something that many buyers of the Porsche Boxster don’t realize: much of the car’s production wasn’t handled by Porsche. Instead, many of the last-generation Boxsters were built under contract to Valmet in Finland. We’re not saying that’s a bad thing, since Valmet has built many cars for many manufacturers over the years. The Fisker Karma is assembled there, as was the previous Porsche Cayman and decades of Saabs.
When the new Boxster was released, initial production was handled in Porsche’s Stuttgart factory. Now, however, demand has outstripped the line’s capacity, forcing Porsche to turn to to a long time partner (and now, family member), Volkswagen.
Volkswagen will build Boxsters for Porsche at the former Karmann plant in Osnabrück, Germany. The plant is no stranger to the Boxster model, as it previously supplied rear and side components for the new Boxster. Over the years, Osnabrück has also supplied Porsche with bodies for the 356 hardtop coupe and the 968. It also assembled Porsche 914s from 1969 through 1975, building over 115,000 examples of the “people’s Porsche.”
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
Moving Boxster production to Osnabrück frees the Stuttgart line up to build more 911s, while Porsche’s Leipzig factory focuses on production of Panamera, Cayenne and (soon) Macan models.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
