The 911 Shines Alone in Q1

Porsche has released its sales data for the first quarter of 2026.

The overall numbers are tough. Global deliveries totaled 60,991 units, reflecting a 15% decrease year-over-year (Porsche Newsroom). Challenges like a sluggish Chinese market, the end of EV tax incentives in the US, and the discontinuation of the 718 series all contributed to this headwind. Yet amidst this bleak picture, one model proudly bucked the trend: the 911. Deliveries reached 13,889 units, a striking 22% increase year-over-year. In the US alone, 3,826 cars were delivered, marking an astonishing 83% growth.

Ultimately, everyone wants a 911. And they want an internal combustion engine (ICE). This Q1 data speaks volumes.

Bright and Dim Spots by Model

The numbers are brutally clear.

Let’s break down Q1 2026 deliveries by model:

• Cayenne: 19,183 units (-4% year-over-year) — still the top seller, though slightly down
• Macan: 18,209 units (-23% year-over-year) — ICE at 10,130 units / EV at 8,079 units
• 911: 13,889 units (+22% year-over-year) — the only model showing growth
• Panamera: 4,498 units (-42% year-over-year) — a lull before new editions launch for China
• Taycan: 3,420 units (-19% year-over-year) — EV sedan also struggling
• 718 Boxster/Cayman: 1,792 units (-60% year-over-year) — production ended last October

Regionally, China saw 7,519 units, down 21%. North America delivered 18,344 units (-11%), while Germany was the only market with growth, up 4% at 7,778 units. The 60% drop in 718 sales is understandable due to production halt but marks the near disappearance of Porsche’s former entry-level lineup. The 42% plunge in Panamera sales is also significant, though it coincides with the model changeover period.

ICE Macan vs EV Macan — Engine Cars Selling 1.25 Times More Despite Phase-Out

One of the most intriguing insights lies in the Macan’s ICE-to-EV ratio.

Of the 18,209 Macans sold, 10,130 are ICE models, while 8,079 are EVs. ICE Macans outsold their EV counterparts by roughly 1.25 times, even though the combustion-engine Macan is slated for discontinuation this summer. That an outgoing model still sells more than the EV is a heavy truth.

As a daily driver of the Taycan Turbo GT, I can vouch for Porsche’s EVs being excellent machines. The Taycan’s active ride suspension makes its agility far surpass what even the 911 can muster, making the latter seem somewhat old-fashioned. The quality of the EV driving experience itself is not the problem. Instead, factors like dismal resale values and the peculiar marketing strategy that pushes EV purchases as a means to score limited or special edition cars have tarnished the EV image. The product and brand marketing often diverge.

Do People Ultimately Crave Engines? — Thoughts Beyond Euro 7

It’s undeniable that Porsche’s engine sound holds a powerful allure.

The moment I fire up my 718 Spyder RS, the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six roars behind me. Hearing that makes it clear that the craving for ICE cars is instinctive, not just logical. Porsche’s own reports attribute the 22% growth in 911 deliveries partly to a high ratio of high-performance trims — GTS, Turbo, GT models — proving people want fast, loud, and thrilling 911s.

However, this is where the real story begins.

Once Euro 7 emissions regulations fully take effect, even the 911’s engine will become significantly quieter. Stricter exhaust controls and more demanding gasoline particulate filters (OPF) will make the aggressive exhaust notes of today a thing of the past. When that day comes, will enthusiasts truly be satisfied with quieter ICE models compared to EVs that are already quiet but overwhelmingly faster? The shrinking gap makes for a fascinating dilemma. What will people choose then? That’s the real question.

Porsche now finds itself at a crossroads between engine and EV. Yet sales data don’t lie. At least as of Q1 2026, customers overwhelmingly favored engine-powered 911s. How long this trend lasts — or if the winds shift around Euro 7’s arrival — will offer deep insights into the future of Porsche and sports cars alike.