Porsche << POHR shuh >> AG is a German automobile manufacturer of both luxury automobiles and race cars. Popular Porsche models, including the 356, 911, and Boxster, have long been status symbols for the rich and famous. A status symbol is a possession that indicates a person’s position in society.
The Austrian engineer Ferdinand Porsche founded Porsche AG in 1931. His company designed cars for other companies to manufacture, including the famous Volkswagen Beetle. During World War II (1939-1945), Porsche AG developed several types of military vehicles for the German armed forces.
After the war, Porsche’s son, Ferry, designed and developed a sports car known as the Gmünd Roadster. In June 1948, the Gmünd was altered and renamed the Porsche 356—the first official Porsche automobile. The Porsche 550 Spyder racer debuted in 1953. Porsche produced a model called the Carrera from 1955 to 1964.
The Porsche 911, which began large-scale production in 1965, proved to be the company’s most successful car. The 911 is slightly larger and more powerful than the 356. The 911 became one of the most popular sports cars in automotive history.
In 1991, Porsche became the first German automaker to install airbags for the driver and front passenger on all models. In 1997, the company debuted the Boxster. In 2003, Porsche introduced a sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Cayenne. Other later Porsche models include the Cayman (2006) and the Panamera (2009). Porsche AG was merged into the Volkswagen Group in 2012.
See also Sports car ; Volkswagen AG .
