75 Years in Zuffenhausen: The Beating Heart of Porsche
Seventy-five years ago, a modest sports car plant in Stuttgart laid the foundation for what would become one of the most iconic brands in automotive history. On April 6, 1950, the first Porsche 356 rolled off the production line in Zuffenhausen. It was the beginning of a legacy—one that would come to define not just a company, but an entire philosophy of engineering, performance, and design.
Today, Zuffenhausen remains the beating heart of Porsche. It’s where the legendary 911 has been built since 1964, where the 718 series is assembled, and where the all-electric Taycan is bringing the brand’s legacy into the future.
“Zuffenhausen is and will remain the home of our sports cars,” says Albrecht Reimold, Porsche AG’s Executive Board Member for Production and Logistics. “It represents our pioneering spirit, cutting-edge manufacturing, and uncompromising quality.”
From War-Torn Barracks to World-Class Factory
Porsche’s ties to Zuffenhausen date back to 1938, initially as a small design office. Car production didn’t begin until after World War II, when, on June 8, 1948, the Porsche 356 “No.1” Roadster received its operating permit. Early versions were handcrafted in Austria, but in 1950, Porsche returned to Stuttgart and began series production in earnest.
At the time, the company didn’t even have full control of its own facilities. The main plant was still under Allied occupation, so Porsche cobbled together operations: renting engine space at Reutter Plant II across the street, while Reutter Plant I in west Stuttgart built and painted the car bodies.
Despite these challenges, momentum was building. The first Zuffenhausen-built 356 was completed in April 1950, and by the end of that year, 317 units had been delivered. Racing success and international interest helped the 356 gain traction fast. With the military still holding onto Porsche’s main facility, the company commissioned architect Rolf Gutbrod to design a new hall—Werk 2—which opened in 1952.
Porsche officially returned to Werk 1 in 1955, using it for design, admin, and motorsport development. Production stayed across the street at Werk 2, while engine manufacturing began at the newly built Werk 3 in 1960. A year later, Porsche acquired the Reutter body plant and brought roughly 1,000 employees into its fold—securing not just valuable know-how but also the Zuffenhausen location for good.
Then came the 911.
Originally named the 901, the first units rolled off the Zuffenhausen line in 1963. By the end of 1965, Porsche had built 78,000 units of the 356, capping off the company’s formative era.
Innovating on the Line
Even in the early days, Porsche was doing something few others dared: producing multiple vehicle variants on the same line. Coupé, Cabriolet, Roadster, Speedster—all were built side by side, each tailored to specific markets and customers. That flexible approach has remained a trademark of Zuffenhausen production.
Today, every 911—whether it’s a base Carrera or a track-focused GT3—is assembled on the same line. Interiors are crafted by hand in the in-house saddlery, maintaining the artisanal quality Porsche customers expect.
Growth, Challenges, and the Road to Electrification
The following decades brought steady expansion. In the 1960s and ’70s, front-engine models like the 928, 944, and 968 were added to the lineup. Demand kept climbing, pushing Zuffenhausen to its physical limits. By 1988, Porsche responded by building Werk 5—a highly flexible body shop—along with a dramatic new conveyor bridge that carried bodies 35 meters over Schwieberdinger Strasse to final assembly.
By the 1980s, Porsche employed over 8,000 people across Zuffenhausen, Weissach, and Ludwigsburg. Yet the company never stood still. Upgrades continued into the 21st century, culminating in one of its biggest shifts yet: the electric Taycan.
Bringing the Taycan to life required a fundamental transformation of the site. A new body shop was constructed in Werk 5, a state-of-the-art paint facility was added to Werk 1, and a modular assembly hall was built at Werk 2. A second overhead conveyor bridge was installed to connect it all—symbolizing the seamless integration of tradition and innovation.
Where Handcraft Meets High-Tech
Today, Zuffenhausen is a model of modern manufacturing. Driverless transport systems ferry parts through the plant. Artificial intelligence monitors and optimizes production. And yet, much remains tactile and human—especially in departments like Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, where customers’ personal visions are brought to life, or Sonderwunsch, where one-of-a-kind creations are made to order.
The site also includes CFRP Manufaktur, where lightweight carbon-fiber parts for high-performance models like the 911 S/T and GT3 RS are meticulously hand-assembled off the main line.
On just one square kilometre in northern Stuttgart, Porsche now produces the boxer and V8 combustion engines, as well as electric motors for the Taycan and the upcoming Macan Electric.
A Legacy Shared Across Germany
While Zuffenhausen is the spiritual home, Porsche’s production network now extends well beyond it. Leipzig, for example, has played a growing role since 2002, building the Cayenne, the Carrera GT, the Panamera, and the Macan. Between 2011 and 2014, the Leipzig facility was transformed into a full-scale plant to meet growing demand.
Looking Ahead
Three-quarters of a century after that first 356 was built, Zuffenhausen stands as a living symbol of Porsche’s DNA: relentless innovation, precision engineering, and a deep respect for tradition. Whether it’s the thunder of a flat-six or the silent surge of electric power, every Porsche still carries a piece of Zuffenhausen with it—on roads, tracks, and into the future.
Edited Porsche Factory Press Release
Pictures & Video courtesy Porsche AG
