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THE FIRST PORSCHE 356 WAS BUILT IN ZUFFENHAUSEN ON 6 APRIL 1950 - THAT MARKS 75 YEARS OF PORSCHE THERE.

Published: 2025-04-03 18:25:45 Last Updated: 2025-04-03 18:55:22

The first Porsche 356 was built in Zuffenhausen on 6 April 1950 - that marks 75 Years of Porsche there. 1

Porsche has been manufacturing sports cars in Zuffenhausen since April 6, 1950, when the first German-built Porsche 356 rolled off the line. From that moment, the site became the heart of Porsche production, now housing the 911, 718, and all-electric Taycan. “Zuffenhausen is and remains the home of our sports cars. It embodies pioneering spirit, state-of-the-art production technology and manufacturing quality,” says Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG. “The development of the location shows how Porsche has transformed itself from a small sports car maker into a world-leading company that produces exclusive vehicles.”
The journey began in 1938 as a design office, with full-scale Porsche production commencing after WWII. The early success of the 356 quickly cemented the brand’s reputation. The first Porsche 356 was completed in Zuffenhausen on 6 April 1950. By the end of 1950, Porsche had built 317 cars. Due to the early successes in races and the enormous demand in export markets, the 356 quickly turned into a huge success for the brand. As the handover of Werk 1 was delayed by the US military administration, Porsche commissioned the renowned Stuttgart architect Rolf Gutbrod to design Werk 2. This assembly hall, built on a site sold to Porsche by Reutter, went into operation in 1952 and was already being expanded by 1954. By 1963, Porsche had acquired the Reutter body shop, securing its future at Zuffenhausen. The first 911 (initially named the 901) entered production the same year, replacing the 356. Over time, the facility expanded, producing front-engine models like the 928, 944, and 968 alongside the 911.

The first Porsche 356 was built in Zuffenhausen on 6 April 1950 - that marks 75 Years of Porsche there. 2

Zuffenhausen has always focused on innovation, from flexible multi-variant production to the construction of high-tech facilities. In 2019, Porsche launched the all-electric Taycan, marking a new era. The site now includes a dedicated EV production hub, a modern assembly plant, and a second conveyor bridge linking logistics. Beyond mass production, Zuffenhausen remains a hub for exclusivity. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur customizes vehicles, the Sonderwunsch department creates bespoke models, and the CFRP Manufaktur hand-assembles lightweight body parts for high-performance 911 variants. While Zuffenhausen remains the brand’s core, Porsche has expanded globally, with Leipzig producing the Panamera and Macan. But at its heart, Porsche's home remains in Stuttgart, where 75 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and performance continue to define the brand. At its Zuffenhausen site, Porsche combines the benefits of industrial series production with the exclusivity of uniquely manufactured sports car products. “Zuffenhausen is and remains the home of our sports cars. This is where we produce cars that fascinate the world – with a production that has been combining craftsmanship and engineering skills for 75 years,” stresses Reimold. With this anniversary, Porsche is not only celebrating its impressive past but is also looking towards the future: The Zuffenhausen site, like its counterpart in Weissach and the full plant in Leipzig, stands for groundbreaking technologies, manufacturing quality and Porsche’s abiding aspiration to come ever closer to the perfect sports car.

Take a look at the YouTube video from the Motoring TV folks who were lucky enough to visit the infamous Porsche factory in Zuffenhausen some years back. We're sure much has changed since then, but it's still a decent insight to the magnitude of things Throwback Thursday: Zuffenhausen Porsche Factory Visit | Motoring TV

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Article Tags: News 75 years Zuffenhausen SXdrv Anniversary History Porsche