AUTONEWS

Porsche is now betting on reconditioned parts

Porsche is expanding its processes in the area of ​​remanufacturing automotive components through an interdepartmental pilot project that integrates the reconditioning of defective parts with the development of new vehicles. The initiative aims to conserve resources and reduce the environmental impact throughout the life cycle of the brand's products.

The German manufacturer says that remanufacturing will be integrated into Porsche's development processes for vehicle designs in order to consider specific requirements for the reuse of selected components already in the product development process. According to Porsche, the process aims not only to promote closed-loop concepts throughout the value chain of its vehicles, but also to contribute to the use of resource-saving spare parts. 

Porsche says that selected defective components from several vehicle model series are already being given a second life through targeted remanufacturing. According to the automaker, around 20 component groups are currently being remanufactured, including gearboxes, navigation computers, starter motors (as pictured) and alternators, for example. 

The following technical procedure applies: the remanufactured component must meet the same quality and safety standards as a comparable new part. Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production and Logistics, explains: “Component remanufacturing is an important area for the future of Porsche.”

Reimold continues: “On the one hand, to fulfil our environmental responsibility and our aspiration to conserve resources. But also to offer our numerous customers of classic and vintage vehicles good long-term spare parts availability. We want to further increase the proportion of components suitable for remanufacturing in the future.”

By reusing damaged components that are transformed into functional replacement parts, Porsche seeks to implement circular economy concepts in its value chain. The proposal is to consider the reuse of certain components already in the development phase of projects, allowing the remanufacturing processes to be part of the technical planning of models from the beginning.

Currently, around 20 groups of components are reconditioned, including gearboxes, starter motors, alternators and navigation systems. All remanufactured items meet the same quality and safety criteria required for new parts.

These components are requested by dealers, stored at the spare parts center in Sachsenheim and sent to specialized factories — often the original manufacturers themselves — where they undergo disassembly, cleaning, inspection and replacement of parts when necessary. After final testing, they are distributed back to the Porsche network. 

According to Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production and Logistics at Porsche, remanufacturing is strategic both for environmental protection and for the long-term availability of spare parts, especially for classic and vintage vehicles. The company intends to increase the range of components with remanufacturing potential in the coming years. In addition to the parts currently included in the program, other groups with remanufacturing potential have already been identified, such as headlights, electric actuators for active aerodynamics and electronic control units. 

The expectation is that remanufacturing capabilities will become a permanent part of the brand's future projects. The goal is also to offer these remanufactured parts at earlier stages in the life cycle of models in production. Internal studies indicate that component reconditioning can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%, in addition to providing savings of up to 80% in materials compared to the production of new parts.

This initiative is aligned with the brand's sustainability strategy, which includes the "Circular Economy" program, focused on the conscious use of raw materials and extending the useful life of vehicles and their components. The pillars of the strategy include the development of recyclable solutions, the reuse of materials and the implementation of closed cycles, as in the case of high-voltage batteries.

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