Most people will go their entire lives without ever owning a Porsche. But those same people likely respect the brand for its racing history and lineup of high-performance luxury cars. From the track to city streets, Porsche continues to be an automotive icon, even if we’re pronouncing the name wrong.

Porsche has a rich history of greatness

Porsche is one of the few remaining auto brands still developing sports cars and race cars. Founded by Ferdinand Porsche and son “Ferry,” the company set up shop in 1948 with 200 workers, the Porsche press site recounts.

Ferdinand created his own engineering firm in 1931 and led the design of the Volkswagen Beetle. Ferry grew the company with help from his father’s innovation in designing the first Porsche sports car, the 356.

By the mid-’50s, the company was introducing its own engines, including more robust versions of the 356. It was then when the brand’s first legend, the 911, was born. By the mid-’70s, better engines, including the automaker’s first V8 and other turbo variations, had become performance icons.

Today’s Porsche models dominate not only with consumers but also on the racetrack. These cars have won 24,000 global races, including 50 class wins at the legendary Le Mans. Porsche Cars North America Inc. also saw its second-best year of sales in 2020, during the pandemic, with 57,294 vehicles sold, Porsche reports.

Some of the most popular Porsche models

Some of the more popular models are still available today and still made in Germany. From the sports-car hall-of-famer 911 to the spicy Cayenne crossover, there’s a model for every taste (but only big budgets). The 911 GT3, GT3 RS, and GT2 RS are “bonkers” and “super bonkers” performance-wise, Car and Driver reports. 

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne boasts performance and precision handling for an SUV. The 2021 Taycan is already earning high marks in auto reviews thanks to its incredible acceleration for an electric car. And if you want the wind in your hair for under $65,000, the Boxster is Porsche’s most affordable convertible.

So, how do you pronounce the name?

Yes, there’s a right and a wrong way to pronounce “Porsche.” The automaker even created a helpful video (listen to the above). The name has two distinct syllables. It’s correctly pronounced “por-shuh.” The most common mispronunciations are the one-syllable “porsh” and “parsh.”

Let’s call the whole thing fast

“Po-tay-to,” “po-tah-to,” let’s call the whole thing fast. Even if you never intend to learn the correct pronunciation of “Porsche,” you likely won’t change your mind about the brand’s impressiveness. And despite creating a video showing how to say its name correctly, the company cares most about building innovative, high-performance vehicles that win on the track and the dealership floor.

Porsche has always been synonymous with precision design and heart-pounding performance. Its cars also come with hefty price tags. The average American family most likely can’t afford a Porsche, but it doesn’t mean the average American doesn’t recognize an icon when they see it. The brand will always command respect, even if everyone doesn’t pronounce the name correctly.