The new Porsche 911 Cabrio to make grand debut in Detroit

The 2012 Porsche 911 Cabrio was officially unveiled in November via a hefty portfolio of high resolution images out of Stuttgart but at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, the new droptop 911 will make its formal public debut. The 911 Cabrio has been designed to closely follow the look of the 911 Coupe and high tech material has been used in the new convertible top to make it strong yet very lightweight. We can expect to know pretty much everything about the 2012 911 Cabrio shortly after the German automakers press conference this coming Monday at 10:30am.

The 911 lineup has long been the bread and butter of the Porsche brand – even though their more “practical” models like the Cayenne SUV and the Panamera sedan are often stronger sellers in the American market. Within the past five years, the German automaker thought so little of the Detroit Auto Show (as did several automakers) that they did not bother to exhibit in the Motor City but with the gradual growth of the American auto industry since the collapse of 2008, automakers have been quick to get reserve their spot on the floor in Detroit’s Cobo Hall.

"The USA is and remains an important market for Porsche with good growth prospects," said Bernhard Maier, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Sales and Marketing. "Detroit was deliberately chosen for the world premiere of the new 911 Cabrio because the USA is far and away our largest 911 Cabrio market."

The decision for Porsche to return to the Detroit Auto Show could also be attributed to a strong 2011 calendar year with sales increasing by over 15% to a total of 29,023 vehicles sold in the US last year. The best selling model for Porsche was the Cayenne with 12,978 units sold while the 911 saw 6,016 coupes and convertibles leave the dealership last year. Porsche expects that the popular current lineup and the introduction of models like the Panamera GTS, the diesel-powered Cayenne SUV and the introduction of the new Porsche Cajun – a compact sport utility vehicle – will help the German automaker top 30,000 vehicles sold in the US for the 2012 calendar year.

The 2012 Porsche 911 Coupe is expected to hit dealerships around the US early this year while the new 911 Cabrio is expected to hit in the spring or summer – just in time to enjoy the pleasant weather throughout the US.

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