MIT/CRE Visits Porsche Leipzig
By Baabak Barman CRE '07
 
Over the last two weeks of MIT’s Independent Activities Period (IAP), eleven MIT/CRE students went on a European real estate trip and met with developers, financiers, and European real estate funds, as well as students at Cambridge University’s land economy program.
 
The trip was highly educational and informative, and a few of us including myself are considering working overseas upon graduation. 
 
The highlight of the trip was visiting the Porsche factory in Leipzig, Germany. Completed in 2002, the factory focuses on production of the Cayenne, Porsche’s version of the SUV.   A state-of-the-art facility, the factory is an example of intelligent logistics, such as Just in Time delivery of parts and Lean Production.  Systems providers deliver all parts at the same time, cars are processed immediately, and there is no need for intermediate storage. 
 
The second floor of the welcome center has a museum with an assortment of Porsche vehicles from the Porsche lawnmower to the $440,000 911 Carrera GT.  There is an expansive view of the outside track where a former rally car racer is executing donuts and fishtails with a Cayenne Turbo. The 3.7 km track features turns and twists from some of the world’s most famous racetracks, and is often used by new owners to test the capabilities of their vehicles. 
 
After a tour of the factory, we were escorted to the track to take the cars for a spin. Upon stepping outside we were greeted with a variety of Cayenne’s, including the S and Turbo versions, as well as a right hand drive Cayenne (the latter of which is unavailable in the States).  Each of us paired with a partner and took turns driving the different cars, all of us following the pace car driver who communicated with us via walkie talkie.
 
After four enthralling laps of skidding tires, spin outs, fishtails, and a few warnings from the pace car driver, I was convinced that I had had enough speed for one day.  However, there was another surprise in store, as we all got a chance to ride with the pace car driver in the Turbo as he turned off the traction control and demonstrated his skills on the track.  I had never seen such flawless execution of driving maneuvers which would surely get anyone arrested on public roads in the US.  All said, the day was an unforgettable experience and gave me a newfound respect for professional drivers.  Unfortunately I was unable to convince the Porsche staff that an MSRED would be adequate training for me to be the next pace car driver, however I was encouraged to purchase my own vehicle upon returning to the US.