Stuttgart - Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is celebrating a record year in North America for its sports car classic, the 911. 12,167 911 models were shipped to customers in the United States and Canada in 2002, representing an increase of eight per cent compared with 2001, when 11,293 units were sold. Overall, 22,511 Porsche sports cars - including the Boxster - were sold in North America last year, seven per cent less than in the previous calendar year.

December saw a noticeable decline in sales. In the United States and Canada, Porsche shipped 1,387 units of its 911 and Boxster models, representing a drop of 22 per cent compared with December of the previous year. 911 model line sales for December totalled 811 units, 15 per cent less than the previous year (959 units). 576 Boxster units were shipped, 29 per cent less than in the same month for the previous year (814 units).