Translated from a German newspaper:

Prototype stolen from Porsche.

by Christian Buchholz

The prototype of a Porsche engine has disappeared from the development centre, and resurfaced disassembled at a tuner shop. Even if Porsche has been able to reclaim a portion of the stolen goods: The possibility that copies were created can’t be excluded.

Stuttgart – The Staatsanwaltschaft (attorney general) is investigating eight suspects who allegedly stole and distributed engines and transmission parts from Porsche. According to manager-magazin.de, the parts were removed from the research facility at the end of April.

According to the Stuttgart local “Bild” newspaper a spokeswoman from the investigating agency confirmed on Friday that four suspects are remanded in custody. Two of the suspects have been employed in Porsche’s leasing division for several years, while the other two worked in purchasing. The suspects have confessed.

The investigation also implicates an automotive shop located in the district of Boeblingen, which allegedly purchased the high-end technology, disassembled, and installed the components into vehicles. “We have filed suit against the management of the company for theft and possession of stolen property” according to a Porsche spokes person in manager-magazin.de.

“Bought in good faith and with receipts”

Ralph Niese, spokesman for Techart Automobildesign GmbH in Leonberg explained to manager-magazin.de that the company “was offered a used Porsche Turbo (977) motor from a car dealer in Leonberg”. The engine was apparently “bought in good faith and with receipts”.

An engine specialist with the tuning division of Techart noticed after the fact that the engine was not the same model as that stated in the purchase agreement.

According to Porsche this should have been blatantly obvious due to the clear markings on the components. “The motor was returned to the car dealer, where it was secured by the attorney general” according to Tech Art, a company which specializes in the tuning of Porsche models.

The Porsche spokesperson explained that altogether three engines were stolen from the sports car manufacturer’s research center in Weissach (district of Boeblingen). Parts of these engines were found during the execution of the search warrant at the Techart shop.

Two of the engines were conventional designs, while one was a “motor of the future”. It can not be discounted that blue prints or copies of the prototype motor’s components have been created. “At this point we are assuming that we are not dealing with a case of industrial espionage” continued the spokesperson.

The company notified the police as soon as it became apparent that the three engines were missing.

The officers caught the alleged thieves red handed as they were about to transfer the engines to a middle man. Money was the motive, as the thieves were apparently in financial difficulties.

In a statement today, Techart refuted that the engines were found on their premises, and that they were ever installed into vehicles. Only Porsche engine components had been seized.

with material from dpa

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Techart:

Leonberg, June 1st 2007

Investigation of Techart re: Theft and Industrial Espionage by Porsche affiliates

Statement:

Engines and racing components were removed from the Porsche research centre in Weissach by Porsche employees and offered for sale to the public.

A used Porsche Turbo (977) motor was offered to Techart by a car dealer located in Leonberg. Techart purchased this motor in good faith and with receipts. Upon inspection it was noted that the engine in question was not the same as the one offered for sale. The motor was returned to the car dealer, where it was seized by the attorney general.

Techart was unaware of the origins of this motor, and did not initiate or approve of the theft of this motor from Porsche.

Correction:

Several news outlets have reported that several engines were found and seized at Techart. It has also been reported that these motors had already been installed in vehicles. These reports are false.
Only components were seized at Techart, the origin of which will be determined through the investigation and Porsche AG.

Techart regrets this incident and will cooperate fully with the investigation.

Ralph Niese
- Spokesperson –

TECHART Automobildesign GmbH




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How is it that I can't make it out of my company with a handful of pens or a ream of paper, but people manage to get prototype engines and 914 prototypes slated for destruction out of Porsche?

Me thinks they need to re-evaluate their security measures.