Porsche CEO Michael Leiters Reevaluates Electric 718 Lineup Amid Budget Crisis

Summary

• New Porsche CEO Michael Leiters is reportedly considering scrapping the electric 718 sports car program due to ballooning expenses and development delays
• The project faces significant technical hurdles and supply chain disruptions following the bankruptcy of battery partner Northvolt
• Porsche is shifting its strategic focus back toward combustion and hybrid models as electric vehicle demand weakens in key markets like China

Porsche is navigating a complex transition for its entry-level sports car lineup, as new reports suggest a delay for the highly anticipated all-electric Porsche 718. Porsche’s ambitious electrification strategy has hit a critical crossroads as new CEO Michael Leiters, who assumed the role on January 1, 2026, weighs the cancellation of the all-electric 718 sports car line. According to a report from Bloomberg, the planned electric successors to the mid-engine Boxster and Cayman are under intense scrutiny following a series of budget overruns and timeline setbacks. This potential about-face represents a major pivot for the Stuttgart-based automaker, which had previously positioned the electric 718 as a cornerstone of its transition to an 80% electric sales mix by 2030.

The challenges facing the electric 718 project are multifaceted, stemming from both internal technical struggles and external market pressures. Development has been plagued by the collapse of a critical battery supply chain after Swedish manufacturer Northvolt filed for insolvency, leaving Porsche without its primary source for high-energy-density cells. Additionally, engineers have reportedly struggled to reconcile the heavy weight of battery packs with the agile, mid-engine driving dynamics essential to the 718 DNA. The mounting costs of these hurdles, combined with a 26% decline in sales in China, have forced the board to reconsider the financial viability of a dedicated EV sports car platform.

In response to shifting consumer sentiment, Leiters is reportedly exploring the addition of plug-in hybrid variants to the next-generation 718 lineup. However, such a move requires a significant redesign of the vehicle’s architecture, as the current electric platform was never intended to house an internal combustion engine or fuel system. This technical pivot could delay the project by several years, risking a market debut with outdated technology. As Porsche grapples with a projected €1.8 billion hit to operating profit in 2025 due to its EV course correction, the fate of the electric Boxster and Cayman remains one of the most significant decisions for the brand’s new leadership. While a final decision has not been reached, the outcome of the 718 reevaluation is expected to be finalized during Porsche’s upcoming fiscal strategy meetings later this year.