Fast Facts | Porsche’s Hybrid Pivot
🏎️ New CEO: Dr. Michael Leiters (taking over Jan 1, 2026)
🔋 Background: Ferrari CTO → McLaren CEO → Porsche CEO
⚙️ Focus: Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models across Macan, Cayenne, and Panamera
💰 Reason for Shift: Falling EV sales and U.S. tariffs impacting profits
🚗 First Hybrid Success: Cayenne Hybrid (2010) — Leiters was project lead
🌍 Goal: Balance profitability and performance through hybrid innovation
A Leadership Change With Perfect Timing
Though the famous German sports car company, Porsche, makes astounding electric cars, it may soon give Hybrids the front seat thanks to a new CEO. The reasons for this change of direction includes sinking profits and the impact of U.S. tariffs.
Porsche’s Electric Plans Hit a Speed Bump
The company had planned on producing an all-electric Macan, Cayenne, and a larger three-row EV at a cost of over two billion dollars, but sales of its EVs failed to grow as expected. So now, the current plan includes pivoting to hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
When it comes to creating winning hybrid vehicles, Porsche’s new CEO may have arrived in exactly the right place at the right time.
After spending a decade as the top boss for Porsche, Oliver Blume will continue his work as CEO of the Volkswagen Group but is making way for German Doctoral Engineer Michael Leiters to take the helm at Porsche starting on January 1, 2026.
Meet Dr. Michael Leiters
Dr.Leiters started his automotive career as a project manager for Porsche in 2000. In fact, he became the project manager for the company’s first Cayenne Hybrid in 2006 which was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. The clever crossover debuted as the second-generation Cayenne and Leiters became the product line director for the entire project.
He became Ferrari’s chief technology officer in 2014 where he developed the brand’s first plug-in hybrid, the SF90 Stradale. He also helped with the production of the 296 GTB and was involved with the development of Ferrari’s first SUV, the Purosanque. After eight years with the Italian “Prancing Horse”, Michael became the CEO of McLaren in 2022.
Hybrid Vision From a Proven Engineer
With a fascination for hybrid car technology, Dr.Leiters pushed ahead with electrification at McLaren, and has been named for improving built quality for the British supercar maker. He also worked to fix problems with the stunning Artura hybrid model.
Michael left McLaren in April 2025 following the company’s merger with EV start-up Forseven and its acquisition by CYVN Holdings. The Porsche Supervisory Board was quick to nab Michael and appointed him as the successor of Oliver Blume. He hopes to lead Porsche through its current challenges, including shifting EV strategies and the decline of sales in some markets.
A Confident Future for Porsche
Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG says of Dr. Leiters, “Dr. Michael Leiters has decades of experience in the automotive industry. His leadership style and in-depth expertise are ideal prerequisites for successfully chairing the Executive Board of Porsche AG. He and the entire Executive Board team at Porsche AG enjoy the confidence of the Supervisory Board in overcoming the current challenges.”
🏁 More Headlines from the Hybrid Front
- Hybrid Vehicles Claim Bigger Market Share in 2025
Global demand for hybrids surges as EV sales plateau — here’s what’s driving the shift.
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Read More ➜ - 2026 Electric Cars Get Major Range Boosts Across Every Brand
From Tesla to Toyota, the next model year brings extended range and faster charging.
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