Porsche and VW dealers in China are in the spotlight and upset consumers because of this

JAKARTA - A number of Porsche and Volkswagen dealers in the central and southwest regions of China are reported to have experienced operational anomalies. Local media said that some outlets were even threatened to stop sales activities in the near future.

The affected locations include Zhengzhou Zhongyuan Porsche, Guiyang Mengguan Porsche, and Zhengzhou Dongjin Volkswagen. In addition, the sales business at the Beijing Shijingshan Porsche Center is said to stop soon, as reported by Carnewschina, Saturday, December 27.

A number of videos and consumer complaints show empty showrooms, with vehicles being moved suddenly, even overnight, in several locations. Not a few customers admit that the down payment for the vehicle and their prepaid maintenance package have not been completed.

Responding to the situation, Porsche China issued a public apology on December 25. The company acknowledged operational disruptions at the Zhengzhou and Guiyang dealers, and confirmed that it was working with the police and relevant authorities to verify the field conditions while protecting consumer rights.

Meanwhile, Dong'an Holdings as the parent group of the troubled dealer managers stated that all employees at the affected locations had been laid off. The company promises to handle the return of consumer deposits and prepaid maintenance packages gradually, although it has not provided a definite schedule for reopening operations.

The local government has also formed a special working group to accommodate consumer complaints and facilitate dialogue between dealers and customers. Meanwhile, civil disputes or financial claims are directed to be pursued through legal channels.

The problem comes amid broader pressures in China's luxury car market. Porsche deliveries in the country were down 26 percent year-on-year at 32,200 units in the first three quarters of 2025, far from the peak of around 95,000 units in 2021.

Globally, Porsche's deliveries were also revised down 6 percent to 212,500 units in the same period. In fact, the operating profit for the first three quarters of 2025 fell 99 percent to 40 million euros, with the Chinese market cited as the main contributor to the decline.

Porsche China CEO Pan Liqi confirmed plans to adjust the dealer network to adapt to market conditions. The number of official outlets, which was previously around 150, is expected to shrink to 120 by the end of 2025 and around 80 by the end of 2026.

Currently, the official list still lists 116 Porsche Centers in China. On the other hand, Volkswagen as a whole still operates more than 2,600 dealers in China.

The industry has confirmed that the operational disruption so far is limited to the locations mentioned. However, observers assess that strengthening dealer supervision and regulatory coordination is crucial so that consumer rights remain protected and similar cases do not recur in the future.