Porsche Taycan is outselling 911 and Panamera

In the first nine months of 2021, Porsche has delivered more examples of the Porsche Taycan electric car to its global customers than the 911, Panamera, Boxster or Cayman, with only the Cayenne and Macan surpassing the battery-powered sedan and wagon for volume.

According to Porsche, from January to September, it sold 28,640 Taycan models, fractionally beating the 911 coupe and convertible (27,972).

In global markets, the Stuttgart-based brand sold 20,275 Panamera cars and just 15,916 Boxsters and Caymans combined.

But before you declare the Taycan a roaring success for Porsche, in the same period it sold an incredible 62,451 Cayennes and 61,944 Macans, proving SUVs powered by combustion engines still rule the roost.

Despite COVID-19 and the ongoing semi-conductor shortage that's reduced vehicle production, Porsche sold an impressive 217,198 vehicles in total over the first three quarters of this calendar year – 13 per cent up year-on-year.

Despite the Cayenne remaining the brand's best-selling vehicle, in 2021 overall volumes have suffered a 2.8 per cent decline that has been offset by Macan sales that have rocketed 12 per cent.

Porsche hopes to replicate the success of the Taycan with the all-new pure-electric Porsche Macan that's set to be introduced alongside the updated version of the current compact SUV in 2023.

Commenting on the strong sales performance, Porsche's sales and marketing boss, Detlev von Platem, said: "The very high demand for our sports cars continued into the third quarter and we are delighted to have been able to supply so many cars to customers during the first nine months of the year.

"The order books are nicely filled and are, in turn, filling us with optimism and enthusiasm as we approach the year-end rush,” he said.

"However, the coronavirus situation remains dynamic and we are facing challenges in sourcing semi-conductors. For these reasons, we are keeping a very close eye on current developments to ensure that we can continue to react in a flexible manner."