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Porsche is to stick with petrol engines for “much longer” than previously planned as it pulls back from electric cars.
The German carmaker, which has already abandoned its sales targets for electric vehicles (EVs), said it is now reconsidering its plans for future models.
In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Lutz Meschke, Porsche’s finance chief, said: “We are currently looking at the possibility of the originally planned all-electric vehicles having a hybrid drive or a combustion engine.
“We are currently in the middle of making conceptual decisions. What is clear is that we are sticking with the combustion engine for much longer.”
The comments suggest that Porsche is pulling back from pure electric cars amid lacklustre demand for the technology.
Porsche reported a 40pc drop in car deliveries in the first nine months of the year, with sales of its electric Taycan tumbling almost 50pc.
The German marque, which is owned by Volkswagen, has suffered a particular dent in sales in China, where consumers are facing a sharp economic slowdown and are opting for cheaper local models.
Porsche had previously said that EVs would account for 80pc of its new vehicle sales by the end of the decade, but watered down that target over the summer.
Mercedes-Benz and Renault are among rival car manufacturers that have also scaled back their EV targets in recent months, while Tesla last month posted its first sales drop in the UK since 2013.
Porsche currently makes two all-electric and two plug-in hybrid models. It has unveiled plans for an all-electric version of its luxury Cayenne model, as well as a new seven-seater SUV codenamed “K1”.
The company has also said it will phase out its current Boxster and Cayman models by the end of 2025.
However, Mr Meschke’s comments suggest some of the brand’s future EV models may be joined by a combustion engine counterpart.
A spokesman for Porsche said the company “continues to focus on a flexible drivetrain strategy”.
He added: “During the transformation phase it is very important to have a flexible range of drivetrains, because the framework conditions change and the different regions of the world develop at different speeds.
“The change to electric cars is taking longer than we assumed five years ago. We are therefore currently taking a very close, customer-oriented look at how we are positioning our portfolio.”
While many car makers are scaling back their electric ambitions, Jaguar is pushing ahead with its plans despite a backlash over its controversial rebrand.
The British company last week offered a glimpse of its new electric car, which will be unveiled at Miami Art Week next month. The futuristic-looking vehicle attracted criticism online, with some comparing it to an air conditioning unit.