Porsche Roof System Making Subsidiary CTS.

[ptcja]

Does anyone know the history on roof making subsidiary of Porsche? It was made clear to me that the R170 and R171 mercedes' roof mechanisms were actually originally part of Porsche's R&D?

This is what I have from a friend:

Porsche has sold its roof system making subsidiary CTS to giant component maker Magna. CTS was originally founded jointly by Porsche and Mercedes to make roof systems for both companies, including the fabric roof of 911 Cabriolet, the innovative sliding glass roof of 911 Targa and the retractable roof of Mercedes SLK and SL. Later its business expanded to other customers, such as Ferrari 360 Spider and F430 Spider, Peugeot 307CC and most recently, Opel Astra TwinTop. Porsche acquired Mercedes' stakes in 2003. Now selling the whole company to Magna, CTS could expand its business futher.

Any input? Just a bit of history for my own sake.

[adsach]

Your summary is consistent with everything I have heard before.

My guess is that Porsche is selling the roof making business because they feel there is more money to be Made in selling the business than selling roofs. Why? A softening in the market for convertibles and folding roofs? Too much competition in the years ahead? Lawsuits in the future?

I don't think Porsche needs the money or diversification of a spinoff, so I am guessing they predict the techology of folding roofs is mature enough and comoditized enough that they don't want to have to compete with the far east.