Porsche Carrera GT to be Shipped Through Georgia

Perdue Questions House Cutting 11,000 Ports Jobs

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) has chosen the ports of Savannah and Brunswick to ship close to 600 Carrera GTs over the next three years.  The new Porsches are valued at $440,000 per vehicle, or a total retail value of more than $257 million.  

"I want to thank Porsche Cars North America for trusting Georgia to handle this very important cargo," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "Georgia and Porsche have developed an excellent partnership.  Today, Porsche employs 150 people in the Atlanta metro area and currently ships $650 million in cargo through Georgia's ports."

Porsche cited the Georgia Ports Authority's (GPA) proximity to major markets and expertise in vehicle shipping as key factors in its decision to ship the Carrera GT through Georgia.  Porsche Cars North America located its headquarters in Atlanta in March 1998 because of the state's highway, airport, and port infrastructures and its available skilled workforce, company officials said. 

Tim Mahoney, Vice President of Marketing of Porsche Cars North America, said the company was impressed with the state's past track record as well as its commitment to excellence in logistics and customer service.  "Doing business with Georgia and the Georgia Ports Authority continues to be a great partnership," said Mahoney.  "Our decision to ship one of our most prized products through Georgia is a direct result of our excellent working relationship with our partners here."

Porsche Cars North America will utilize the Port of Savannah to ship the Carrera GT via container and then move the vehicles to the Port of Brunswick where its vehicle processing center is located.

In the first year, Porsche will import 125 Carrera GTs.  Within three years, the total number of Carrera GTs shipped through Georgia is anticipated to be 585.  Currently, Porsche ships 8,000 to 10,000 vehicles through the Georgia Ports Authority each year.

"I want to personally thank Governor Sonny Perdue, Savannah and Brunswick's committed elected officials, and our Board Members for helping the GPA build the necessary infrastructure to handle this new business," said Doug J. Marchand, Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority.  "It took a team effort to make this announcement possible today and I look forward to more such efforts in the future."

Perdue Opposes Job Killing Cuts

The budget subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee has proposed cutting over $34 million in bond projects for the Georgia Ports Authority, including $28.2 million to build a new container berth facility at the Port of Savannah.  The new container berth is projected to create 11,000 direct and indirect jobs for the state.

"At a time when Georgians are looking for economic recovery, I am mystified as to why the House would not want to make an investment that will create jobs, attract new investment, and keep Georgia's ports competitive," said Governor Perdue.