Porsche is seeking to accelerate cost reductions, conclude labour negotiations and overhaul its long-term strategy as the car maker works to recover from a prolonged slowdown.

Speaking to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS), Porsche CEO Michael Leiters said the company aims to finalise discussions with its works council on a second cost-cutting programme before factory holidays begin in July.

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“We want to reach an agreement with the employees before the factory holidays in July; Porsche employees need clarity”, Leiters, who took over as Porsche CEO in January, said.

The programme, announced in mid-2025, has yet to be completed.

According to sources cited by FAS, additional job reductions of between 2,000 and 4,000 positions, or potentially more, are being considered, although Leiters declined to comment on the speculation.

Leiters said the company had placed too much emphasis on electric vehicles and had based planning on expectations of sustained sales growth.

He said some operations had been structured around annual production volumes of as many as 400,000 vehicles.

However, Porsche delivered fewer than 280,000 vehicles last year, partly reflecting weaker demand in China.

“We are planning for lower capacities in the future. Porsche has to make money even with fewer cars”, Leiters said.

The chief executive also said the company had expanded considerably during the 12 years he spent away from Porsche and indicated that costs had risen too sharply over that period.

As part of efforts to improve efficiency and support future product development, Porsche plans to strengthen cooperation with fellow Volkswagen Group brand Audi.

Porsche is also assessing a new sports car positioned above the 911 and intends to retain the entry-level 718 range.

No decision has yet been taken on a proposed SUV above the Cayenne.

Leiters is expected to outline Porsche’s long-term strategy at a capital markets day in October 2026.

Last month, Porsche announced plans to cut more than 500 jobs and shut three subsidiaries as part of a strategic realignment focused on its core operations.