Porsche Korea has decided to equip all pure electric vehicles sold in Korea from this year with battery cells from Korean manufacturers. In addition, it will introduce four new models and more than 10 trims this year alone, including launching the core electrified model "Cayenne Electric" in the second half in Korea, the first among Northeast Asian countries. The policy aims to sustain Korea's growth momentum, which rose to the fifth-largest market in the world as sales increased 30% last year.
Christiane Zorn, head of overseas emerging markets at Porsche AG, said at the "2026 Porsche Korea New Year press conference" held on the 19th in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, "From this year, all pure electric Porsche models sold in Korea will be equipped with battery cells from major Korean battery manufacturers," adding, "We will work closely with Korea's battery technology-leading corporations to provide customers with top-tier quality, safety, and reliability."
Accordingly, all three pure electric models—the electric sports car "Taycan," the midsize electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) "Macan Electric," and the large midsize SUV "Cayenne Electric" to be launched in the second half of this year—will be equipped with battery cells from Korean battery companies.
Porsche Korea has already switched the battery cells for the 2026 model-year "Macan Electric" from China's CATL to Samsung SDI starting this year. The "Cayenne Electric," to be unveiled in the second half of this year, uses battery cells from LG Energy Solution. The Taycan also uses LG Energy Solution battery cells.
Matthias Buse, CEO of Porsche Korea, said the choice of Korean battery makers, including Samsung SDI, was made "because they have high stability and credibility locally, and customers were satisfied with that," adding, "There were several options, and with this experience (with Korean battery cells), we were able to choose (Korean battery cells) for the new Macan as well."
Regarding this year's strategy, Buse said, "Following an approach of qualitative growth over volume, we will further increase our focus on electrification." Porsche sold 10,746 vehicles in Korea last year, achieving 30% growth from the previous year. It is the fifth-largest among the global markets where Porsche operates. Of these, pure electric vehicles accounted for 34% and plug-in hybrids for 28%.
Zorn said, "Last year, electrified vehicles accounted for 35% of global Porsche sales, the highest level in history, while in Korea the share of electrified models was 60%," adding, "Korea once again proved its high acceptance of electrification and its status as a global leading market."
Porsche Korea plans to launch four new models and more than 10 trims in Korea this year. First, in the first half, the "911 Turbo S" and "Macan GTS" will be released. Buse said of the 911 Turbo S, "It is the essence of Porsche engineering, a model that will turn the dreams of countless fans into reality."
The most anticipated model in the second half is the Cayenne Electric. Set to launch first in Korea among Northeast Asian markets, the Cayenne Electric delivers a maximum output of 1,156 horsepower with launch control. Torque, which determines instantaneous acceleration, reaches up to 153.0 kg·m, and it takes just 2.5 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100 kph. The top speed is 260 kph.
Buse emphasized that it is "a key milestone in electrification innovation that shows how Porsche will define the future of sports cars in the electric era." The domestic price of the Cayenne Electric is 163.8 million won.
A 100-unit, Korea-market special edition, the "Panamera Red Exclusive," will also be released in the second half. As a package model that brings together specifications popular with domestic customers, lettering in Porsche's signature "Guards Red" is applied to the lower portions of both doors and the rear.
Porsche Korea plans to continue work this year to double its service network by 2030 compared with last year. Following the official opening of the "Porsche Center Jeju" the previous day, the company plans to expand service centers to Yangjae, Incheon, and Yeongdeungpo. Buse said, "In particular, Yeongdeungpo will be developed into the largest service center in western Seoul, becoming a landmark that reflects Porsche's strong commitment to Korea."