[No, you’re not wrong: it is the same Binghatti working with Jacob&Co, as well as Bugatti on their own branded skyscrapers, all in Dubai.]

The world of architecture is a-buzz. Experts are debating its accessibility, aesthetics, and sustainability. First are the sceptics pointing at the real estate crisis in certain countries and wondering how easily the opulent apartments will sell out. These are followed by the purists questioning how seamlessly this gargantuan tower will blend with the existing urban landscape. Then there are the environmentalists whose questions about the environmental impact of yet another resource-consuming structure appear to be the most valid.

Finally, there’s the rest of us, the non-technical ‘inquisitors’ whose only question is why? Why are luxury auto behemoths like Mercedes-Benz suddenly raising skyscrapers and funding other real estate projects?

A little travel back in time

2020 will be the year to remember for a long time for different reasons, chief among them being the changes it forced global and local businesses to make. Almost all faced two choices – adapt or perish, and even the most traditional brands saw themselves embracing unplanned transformations.

This meant, among other things, exploring new channels of communication and commerce, adopting innovative work methods, and venturing into untapped niches destined to withstand the test of time.

It is perhaps why brands like Ferrari have been relentless in their pursuit to become full-fledged lifestyle brands or others like Aston Martin are steadily diversifying into the ever-profitable world of real estate.

Newer models offer an important lesson

2022 was a fantastic year for luxury brands, including those in the automobile business.

For example, Rolls Royce announced that it had sold its highest amount of cars ever – 6021 to be exact over 12 months. But its figures were nothing compared to Bentley which sold over 15,000 vehicles in the same period. At Porsche, it was even more impressive: 95,604 customers received their Cayennes, while 86,724 Macans were safely delivered to their owners.

One salient factor underscoring this unprecedented success was the rise of the true luxury SUV: for Rolls Royce, it was the Cullinan that brought in the most sales, while at Lamborghini, the Urus was its sales booster. As stated above, Prosche’s Cayenne probably sold the most units and although Ferrari’s Purosangue debuted later in 2022, the reception it got is a pointer to how it would have fared if it had dropped earlier.

Against this backdrop, it quickly became clear that giving customers precisely what they need, in a way that fulfils their desires and cravings is what brands must do to secure the coveted unforgettable spot in their minds.

Pivoting for success?

So it comes as no surprise that Mercedes Benz and other luxury auto brands have chosen to slap their names and logos on skyscrapers and other real estate projects in select locations. If consumers want properties that reflect the elements they love in their cars, then it only makes sense for the brands to give them what they want, right?

However, it appears it is not as simple as that.

Skyscrapers might reflect a country’s wealth and its architectural prowess, but they are expensive to build and maintain. Add to this an increasing demand to be mindful of their carbon footprint, and it is getting harder for construction companies to justify building one today. For continents like Asia with the highest number of such buildings, the government could provide financing or support, making it cheaper to take on such a project. But even that has now become scarce, and the companies who want to add skyscrapers to their portfolio today may have to self-fund or source for funds privately.

And who else again would have the huge funds required for these high-rises but luxury auto firms with fat accounts from record sales in the last 3 years?

They may be in decline now, but that does not make skyscrapers any less cheap. It also does not mean they are no longer in demand from the very demographic that luxury auto brands are also trying to target. Which is why they are a fantastic investment option: working with established real estate companies allows car maisons to take a cautious dip into the market with as little risk to themselves as possible.

Today, Mercedes Benz has joined Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini and Aston Martin in the skyscraper standoff. More may join tomorrow. Or not. Whatever the future brings, however, it looks like luxury auto brands are hedging their bets, and for now, in real estate.

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The pioneer of electric luxury auto-inspired yachts?

Electric nautical vehicles are not new. Every shipyard from Arc to Duffy, Candela and Iguana has been building electric vessels for some time now, whether it is the hybrid 2015 Savannah superyacht or Hinckley’s all-electric Dasher Yachts which debuted 2 years after.

However, in spite of the ubiquity of luxury ‘autoyachts’, mass-produced, electric-powered nautical vessels from automakers have been non-existent, until now. The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air is the first fully electric yacht made in collaboration with a luxury car brand that is not a one-off model.

Built by Frauscher Shipyard, powered by Porsche

This new electric boat from Porsche and Frauscher is based on the Frauscher 858 Fantom Air daycruiser, with the same 8.67-metre long and 2.49-metre wide hull. But that is where its similarities stop.

Porsche has fitted the 850 Fantom Air with its Premium Platform Electric (PPE) drive technology, the same tech its future all-electric Macan will use. What this means is that it will be powered by “the lithium-ion high voltage battery with a total capacity of around 100 kWh, a permanently excited synchronous electric motor (PSM) of the latest generation, and the related power electronics.”

Porsche’s 800-volt technology also means that the boat can be charged at fast DC-charging stations, although this does not eliminate AC charging. Equipping the 850 Fantom Air with both charging options translates to increased flexibility for its owners, giving them peace of mind that they would not be stranded no matter where they are.

Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air: an e-Porsche for the seas

For now, neither brand has confirmed top speeds or range. But, considering its powertrain, we should expect top speeds of up to 20knots and a range of about 60nm.

Porsche is however promising that the same features that distinguish its fully-electric Taycan sports saloon were put at the forefront of the manufacturing of the boat which are “impressive acceleration, abundant pulling power, superior, continuously available performance, and inspiring design.”

“Our boat is perfect as a daycruiser for a relaxed swimming trip, for example, or as a tender for a super yacht to make an excursion to a coastal town,” further confirms Stefan Frauscher, CEO of Marketing & Sales at the Frauscher Shipyard.

If this sounds good to you and you are looking to snag one for yourself, you would have to hurry: Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air will be limited to only 25 units and can be pre-ordered from Frauscher.

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If you’re crazy about autos or are thinking of getting the perfect gift for an auto enthusiast (that is not an automobile of course), here are 7 timepieces made in collaboration with auto brands to consider.

Jacob & Co x Bugatti

You can always trust Jacob & Co to make the most complex and extravagant timepieces, and, with this piece for Bugatti, it did not fail to deliver.

Actually, the partnership between both brands officially began in 2019 with the Epic X and Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti kicking off the action. The latest is the Bugatti Chiron Blue Sapphire Crystal Tourbillon timepiece that boasts a racing-inspired blue sapphire case and a 578-part manual wind movement whose engine replicates the Bugatti W16 engine.

Just like a vehicle, its movement is suspended in the case with shock absorbers, and on-demand 16 pistons power up and down on the crankshaft like the hyper car’s engine. If the Bugatti Chiron Blue Sapphire Crystal Tourbillon timepiece is your choice, it will set you back a cool $1.5 million.

Roger Dubuis x Lamborghini

In the last 5 years, Roger Dubuis has worked closely with Lamborghini to create timepieces whose designs and colours, high-tech materials and visionary aesthetics mime the brand’s best cars.

The newest creation is this Excalibur Spider Countach developed for the launch of the new Countach supercar. Made from Roger Dubuis’ “exclusive high-technology Mineral Composite Fibre (MCF) material”, the timepiece boasts a complex 295-part hand-finished and assembled movement that was developed entirely in-house with double flying tourbillons at a 90-degree angle.

The Excalibur Spider Countach is a boutique exclusive priced at $815,000. With only 8pieces scheduled to be produced, it may be hard to get your hands on this one.

Bovet 1822 x Pininfarina

Like the others, both brands have been in partnership for some years now. The latest fruit of this union is the Battista Tourbillon which honours the Pininfarina Battista Hyper GT electric auto.

The Battista Tourbillon timepiece features an all-new movement with a two-sided 60-second Flying Tourbillon and a patented spherical rewinding system. The tourbillon cage is reminiscent of the Battista Impulso wheels, and, emulating the Battista E-Heart charging logo, the piece features an E-Heart-shaped aperture to showcase the date on the front and the winding mechanism on the back.

Thankfully, this is not a limited-edition piece and you can get it for $330,000.

Porsche Design x Porsche

The most unsurprising collaboration, timepieces by Porsche Design are perhaps the only ones not inspired by a specific marque.

Take for example the Chronograph 1-911 Edition timepiece. It was made to celebrate 50 years of Porsche Design and honours the first chronograph made by the brand. The motorsport-inspired timepiece comes with chronograph functions, day and date indication, and a tachymeter chapter ring for measuring speed.

Perhaps the only direct relationship it has with a specific auto model is the fact that it is only available to owners of the 750 Porsche 911 Targa GTS Porsche Design 50th Anniversary Edition sports auto. Both are sold together and cost $195,850 (excluding delivery, processing, and handling fees).

Not exactly what you may be looking for, since it’s a 2-in-1 deal. But it is definitely worth considering

Richard Mille x Mclaren

Already five years into its partnership with McLaren Automotive, Richard Mille continues to push horological limits. The RM 40-01 Automatic Tourbillon McLaren Speedtail is a grand example of the futuristic styling and performance of both brands.

Honouring the fastest exotic car built to date by McLaren, the RM 40-01 boasts a new 69-part titanium and Carbon TPT® case that took 18 months to make. The all-new engine inside consists of a whopping 672 parts and was more than 8,000 hours in the R&D phases.

Priced at $1,023,000, only 106 pieces will be made to match the number of McLaren Speedtail autos that will be manufactured.

Girard-Perregaux x Aston Martin

One year and 3 timepieces after, Girard-Perregaux and Aston Martin want to paint your wrist green with the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin F1 Edition.

This model is limited to 306 pieces in reference to the total distance in kilometres of the 2022 British Grand Prix at Silverstone and its case is made from a blend of titanium powder and pieces of carbon fibre, materials gotten from two Formula One autos from the 2021 season. The straps also feature these materials alongside synthetic rubber and have been rendered in the same Aston Martin Racing Green.

What makes this ‘auto timepiece’ even more unique is that, for the first time, a Laureato Absolute Chronograph has on its rear a sapphire crystal that allows for viewing the hand-finished movement. It is priced at $27,800.

Ducati x Bulgari

Ok, so this may not be an auto brand, but since motorbikes are categorised as vehicles, well…

The newest collaborators on this list, Ducati and Bulgari’s first baby is the Bulgari Aluminum Ducati Special Edition Chronograph. The 40mm timepiece is fitted with Bulgari’s B130 automatic-winding mechanical movement that holds an impressive 42-hour power reserve. The deep-red dial is the signature colour of both brands, while the black-covered back case highlights the new partnership between Bulgari and Ducati with commemorative engravings of each brand’s logo.

Priced at $5000, the Bulgari Aluminum Ducati Special Edition Chronograph is limited to only 1000 pieces. So, if this appeals to you, you would have to make a move fast before it sells out.

Source: DuPont Registry

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Not if Porsche succeeds though.

Early in April, the German automaker announced a new investment in HIF Global LLC, a Chilean company that develops renewable fuels. The USD 75 million investment also grants Porsche a long term stake in the company, which it shares alongside other investors including the Chilean company Andes Mining & Energy (AME) and the American companies EIG, Baker Hughes Company and Gemstone Investments.

The race to develop renewable fuel for commercial use is already on: according to Porsche, the production of eFuels from hydrogen and CO2 using wind energy is expected to start at the pilot plant in Chile in mid-2022.

The process looks like this: using wind power, electrolyzers separate water into its two components, water and hydrogen. The latter, now known as green hydrogen is then mixed with carbon dioxide, extracted from the air, in a ‘reactor’ to produce green methanol (e-methanol). This is then converted into eFuel.

Electric vehicles are great alternatives to noxious fossil fuels; however, they are not without their challenges, and in countries where stable electricity is a challenge, they can quickly become a burden to run and maintain. Should Porsche’s investment in HIF pay off, it might mean that your next auto purchase may not be an EV after all, and you can do it without any guilt of contributing to the climate change crisis we appear to be accelerating towards.

Porsche has already successfully tested eFuel on race tracks and will be used in motorsport flagship projects. In the future, it is also conceivable that they will be used to fuel Porsche’s own vehicles with combustion engines during initial fuelling at the factory, and at Porsche Experience Centers.

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Makamo, who was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine under the heading ‘The art of optimism – 34 people who are changing how we see the world,’ was reminded of his childhood dream. Now capable of owning a Porsche, he ordered a Jet Black Metallic 911 Carrera Coupé and promptly turned it into an art project.

At his Johannesburg studio, he hand-painted a number of his 911’s components and panels before returning them to the team at Porsche Centre Johannesburg for a final layer of lacquer and fitting. These elements include the rear bumper, front seat mouldings, door panel inserts and handles, dash panel inserts, the parking brake console and side mirror covers.

He picked the left side door panel insert to feature the inscription ‘Mma’ – three letters that mean ‘mother’ in Makamo’s native language of Sepedi. It marks the first time he has mentioned his mother in his artwork, and the subtle yet deeply meaningful acknowledgement pays tribute to a woman who supported him throughout his life, inspiring him to believe that success through art was possible.

Makamo says the project, which he has called ‘My Life in Motion’, is not just a representation of his success, but also a nod to the various people he has encountered along the way. “I always knew I was going to own a Porsche, I just never knew that my relationship with the brand would start this way – and it’s only the beginning,” he says.

Toby Venter, CEO of Porsche South Africa, says the project has provided great motivation: “Working with Nelson Makamo has been inspirational and this commission is on a level we’ve never seen before. This is a truly bespoke art installation worthy of any gallery. It also illustrates the lengths Porsche South Africa will go to and the creativity and flexibility of our team to accommodate a request as personal as this.”

It is Makamo’s hope that his 911 will spark the imagination of African children – to help every young girl and boy see that it is possible to find success through their own passion based on talent, resilience, hard work and unwavering support of family.

Source: Porsche

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“People all over the world love the timeless and innovative design of our sports cars,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG. “Visionary concept studies are the foundation of this success: they provide the pool of ideas for the Porsche design of tomorrow, and combine our strong tradition with trailblazing future technologies.”

Porsche Unseen would be presented in four different formats: a series of articles that are being presented exclusively by the Porsche Newsroom; an episode that will showcase selected studies and examine their connection with current production models together with Porsche Chief Designer Michael Mauer on the 9:11Magazine web TV; a selection of studies that will be on display later for fans to admire live at the Porsche Museum which will also be integrating the models in a 2021 exhibition, and, a book entitled “Porsche Unseen” which was released on the 12^th of November, 2020 by the Delius Klasing publishing house. Interested readers are given a detailed look behind the scenes of Style Porsche.

In the book, Porsche lays bare its creative process, highlighting the cars created within the stated period as well as new technologies and ventures into hypercars. Some of the what-if models featured include

The Porsche 906 Living Legend (2015)

The 906 Living Legend dipped into the company’s illustrious past, the 1966 Porsche 906, a road-legal racing car with a futuristic streamlined body. The 2015 concept mimics the original’s high wheel arches and low central cabin.

Porsche Vision Renndienst (2018)

An alternative to SUVs, this all-electric futuristic “space shuttle” was designed to sit up to six persons, with the driver sitting in a central driver’s seat. The all-electric drive technology is located in the underbody so that passengers can enjoy unexpectedly generous space and travel experience combined with Porsche-like flair.

The Porsche 919 Street (2017)

The Porsche 919 Street was developed as a street-legal version of the highly successful hybrid Porsche 919 for “amateur drivers.” The dimensions and wheelbase are also the same as on the race car.

Porsche Unseen is now available for purchase on Amazon for ₤68.

Source: Porsche

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Not to mention that Porsche has been making four-door sedans and SUVs for years now, and those vehicles can match anything from its German counterparts at Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. If you want to experience the mix of power and luxury that makes Porsche so unique, then head to Lion Heart Lifestyle in Los Angeles and rent one for yourself.

It’s Pleasing To The Senses

A luxury car should look the part, sound the part, and even feel the part. In terms of looks, the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne certainly fit the bill. They each take Porsche’s iconic design philosophy and expand on it so that it can work on a four-door sedan or SUV while still retaining a look that is stylish, sophisticated, and unmistakably Porsche.

The sound of a luxury vehicle should be powerful, but understated, leave the V8 roars and V12 wails for the supercar set. The engine rumble of a luxury car should be just enough to give the driver an inkling of the power available to them without deafening the occupants of the vehicle. A luxury car should isolate and insulate the driver and passengers from the outside world and thunderous engine noise is antithetical to that standard. The engines of the Panamera and Cayenne are some of the most potent around, starting out at over 300HP and only going up from there.

A luxury vehicle should only use the most upscale materials that provide tactile pleasure whenever you come into contact with them. The interiors of all Porsche vehicles are exemplary, but the Panamera and Cayenne take things to a whole other level. Plush leather, wood inlays, and high-quality metal abound. You would need to graduate to the ultra-luxury class of vehicles like Rolls-Royces or Bentleys to find a better-appointed interior.

Cutting Edge Technology

The best luxury cars have technology advanced enough to make the occupants feel like they are in a high-tech hotel suite rather than an automobile. Touch screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and top of the line 3-D sound systems are the order of the day with Porsche’s luxury vehicles. It’s not just the driver and front passenger who get to enjoy all of the amenities, rear-seat passengers get a touch screen to entertain themselves as well.

A Smooth, Compliant Ride

Any luxury car worth its salt should make you feel like you’re driving on air no matter the condition of the road surface. The Porsche luxury models absorb all the bumps and imperfections in the road surface like a sponge, giving all of the occupants a silky-smooth ride. Four-wheel drive ensures that the chassis can handle all of the power the engines unleash with aplomb.

Despite the smoothness of the ride, the driver never feels disconnected from the vehicle the way they can in other luxury automobiles. Regardless of the level of luxury, a Porsche will always be a driver’s car and the Panamera and Cayenne provide the kind of feedback and responsiveness you would expect from the maker of some of the world’s best sports cars.

So, yes Porsche is a luxury automaker, one that can match the best of its German rivals, and even its British rivals. While all of Porsche’s vehicles are well-appointed, the Panamera and the Cayenne are their most luxurious vehicles. They both feature all of the luxurious accouterments a driver could ever want while providing them with the level of driving excitement and engagement they would expect from a Porsche. That combination means that a Porsche is not only a luxury car, but it might also be the ultimate luxury car.

Source: Luxury Launches

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The brands from different countries are seemingly scrambling to enter Kenya as consumers both in high-end and middle-income and the foreigners accept them. Kenya is home to various international organizations that include the United Nations Environment Programme and foreign embassies. These organizations have seen the expat community grow in Kenya providing ready market for the top brands.

Some of the top brands that have entered Kenya include German engineering and electronics firm, Bosch, which launched its first store in Central and East Africa in Nairobi recently.

Subway, a fast-food outlet, similarly, announced last week plans to open four more branches in Nairobi. For clothes shop, Kenyans have an array to choose from, which include LC Waikiki, a Turkish clothing line, The Foschini Group of South Africa, UK’s F&F and Austria’s and India’s jewellery shops Swarovski and Anmol. For cars, the luxury brands that have set shop in Kenya include Porsche, BMW and Bentley, among top brands in various industries.

At a top mall in Nairobi, one can shop at a French supermarket, eat at a Chinese restaurant and buy clothes at an American or UK shop. The scene is replicated in various high-end malls across the capital Nairobi, with the foreign brands taking sizeable space in the facilities. Henry Wandera, an economics lecturer in Nairobi, attributed the entrance of top brands in Kenya mainly to growing economy and Kenya’s position in the region.

“The top brands are finding Kenya alluring because it is the region’s biggest economy. Once they establish in Kenya, they can easily enter any other country,” he said. He further noted that the Kenyan retail market is fast-growing thanks to rising incomes, thus opportunities are still huge in the country. “If you look at the food sector, the industry dominated by local shops, a majority with one or two branches. This offers chance for bigger foreign brands to come in,” he said, adding the global shops indicate that Nairobi is an attractive regional hub for investment.

Cytonn, a Nairobi-based investment firm, noted that various international retailers have penetrated the Kenyan market in the last six years.

The firm attributed the move to a number of factors, which include expanding middle class and vibrant real estate development; “Kenya’s private consumption expenditure has recorded the highest growth, since 2013 when it hit 8.4 percent in 2017, compared to 4.7 percent in 2016, 5.2 percent in 2015, and 4.3 percent in 2014. This is attractive to the brands,” said Cytonn.

The number of ultra-high net-worth individuals, those who are worth 50 million U.S. dollars and above in Kenya, rose by 13 percent to 90 in 2017 from 80 in 2016, according to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2018, with the number of wealthy Kenyans expected to increase by 58 percent on average by 2022. This is one of the reasons that lead to an increase in demand for luxury brands.

The rise in the top brands has had great impact on the East African nation’s real estate sector, with developers keen on building high-quality retail spaces that conform to international standards to attract multinational firms. These firms reaffirm Kenya’s position as one of the leading regional hubs for investments in the continent.

Source: Xinhua

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1. The name

Taycan, pronounced “tie-kahn,” will be the production name of the Mission E concept, which had by now acquired its own brand recognition. Porsche says that the name approximately translates to “lively young horse” in some Asian dialects.

2. The motors

The Taycan will be powered by a pair of electric motors with a combined output of over 600 hp, but the kicker is that the rear motor will be more powerful than the front motor to make it more of a rear-biased car. The permanent magnet synchronous motors will also work to achieve braking, rather than relying on disc brakes alone. Expect two-speed gearboxes for city and highway driving — EVs don’t usually have these, but it really does make sense to have a taller gear to maintain acceleration at the top end of the performance envelope.

3. The performance

Porsche indicated earlier this year that the Taycan will be capable of sprints from 0-60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds, and it will hit 125 mph in “less than” 12 seconds on its way to a top speed that will be somewhere north of 155 mph. Porsche execs have indicated that the 3.5-second launches will be repeatable all day long, in a jab at Tesla’s asterisk-marked launch times.

The Taycan will also serve up multiple driving modes, as you’d expect, to tailor its lithium-ion battery and motor performance to the type of driving you’re doing. This means you’ll be able to hypermile when you don’t need the full capabilities of the motors to save battery juice, and you’ll also be able to use full power when you want.

4. The range

Porsche is aiming at 500 kilometers on the notoriously optimistic New European Driving Cycle, which works out to 310 miles. Real-world mileage will vary, of course, depending on driving conditions, but we expect it to land a bit south of the nominal 310-mile figure — perhaps around 250 miles — judging by how the NEDC driving cycle usually translates to EPA figures.

5. Fast charging

Porsche says that owner will be able to juice the Taycan up to 80 percent in just 15 minutes with an 800-volt charger; this works out to 250 miles if we take the 310-mile range at face value … and if you can find an 800-volt charger.

“Our new electric sports car is strong and dependable; it’s a vehicle that can consistently cover long distances and that epitomizes freedom,” Oliver Blume, chairman of Porsche AG’s executive board said this year.

6. The soundtrack

Since the Taycan will be an EV, its powertrain won’t really generate a sound aside from tire and wind noise. But it will have some sort of artificially generated noise like many other EVs, as Porsche has hinted, that will be audible to those outside. We won’t keep our fingers crossed in hopes of hearing a flat-six howl; the current repertoire of EV sounds leans toward electric hums that sound like “Star Trek: The Original Series” props.

7. Cross Turismo

Porsche has confirmed that the Taycan will also spawn a wagon-like crossover nicely (and closely) previewed by the Mission E Cross Turismo concept. Expect to see a five-door body style with a rear hatch and a raised ride height in addition to a revised suspension. The final product will still need to differentiate itself a bit from the Panamera Sport Turismo and Macan, so expect something akin to a raised station wagon.

“The key for the Panamera Sport Turismo was versatility. In the case of the Mission E Cross Turismo, the focus was more on this combination of different vehicle characteristics,” Porsche chief designer Michael Mauer told Automotive News Europe earlier this year. “Take this car in the morning to the meeting in the city, and in the evening, you go to your chalet in the Swiss mountains.”

Source: Autoweek.com

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“Tech Live Look” uses the AiR Enterprise software platform from Atheer, Inc., a leading provider of AR solutions, in conjunction with lightweight smart glasses. These high-tech spectacles feature the latest in projection technology and come equipped with a high-resolution, auto focus camera that shows even fine details such as threading on screws. The glasses include a powerful LED to illuminate dark spaces in the engine compartment or under the car.

How does this technology work? When a service technician at a dealership in Los Angeles dons this specialized eyewear and connects through the software with the Atlanta-based Porsche technical support team 2,200 miles away, it allows the support team to see exactly what he is seeing, in real time. This “see what I see” video-conferencing capability with instant access to remote experts allows both parties to quickly identify and resolve technical issues. It can also help decrease service resolution time by up to 40 percent, based on the findings of a pilot program undertaken in July 2017at eight Porsche dealerships in California, Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, and Washington, along with one in Canada.

“Tech Live Look” can do much more than just provide real-time video capability. It allows the technical support team to take screen shots or send technical bulletins and instructions onto the projection surface of the glasses while the service technician is working on the vehicle. This type of information exchange is far more efficient than sending emails and photos or explaining complex technical issues over the phone.

“Our main goal is to provide a better overall experience for our customers. Tech Live Look allows us to be more efficient and helps get vehicles back in the hands of our customers faster, all while still delivering exceptional service quality,” explained Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of PCNA.

“Tech Live Look” will officially launch in dealerships in North America in 2018.

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