Consumer demand for the Porsche Cayenne has prompted the automaker to increase production, the luxury brand said this week.

Global sales of the powerful SUV surged 37 percent in the first half of this year, prompting Porsche to boost the number of Cayennes it will produce from next year.

In the US alone, the number of Cayennes sold jumped from 2,605 in the first half of 2010 to 6,877 in the first half of this year.

Porsche is celebrating 60 Years in America, introducing “My Classic Porsche Search” a search for the oldest Porsche in the country.

The search is open to all Porsche owners who think they have a shot at earning the “oldest” designation for their car.

Entries can be submitted for 12 model ranges, including the Porsche 356, 911, 912, 914, 924, 928, 944, 968, Boxster, Cayenne, Carrera GT, and Cayman.

Luxury car manufacturer Porsche has confirmed that it will launch a hybrid version of its popular Cayenne SUV at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

The Cayenne S Hybrid is the cleanest car in Porsche’s top-end portfolio, offering fuel consumption of 8.2 liters/100 kilometres with CO2 emissions of 193 g/km.

By comparison, the Cayenne Turbo uses 11.5 liters/100 km, whilst the Toyota Prius, the world’s best selling hybrid vehicle, delivers 3.9 liters/100km.

The hybrid version can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h on emission-free electric power before switching to gasoline power.

Limited to fewer than 100 units in the United States, Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 features interior and exterior styling cues that help communicate the unique Porsche’s high-performance personality.

It will be available through authorized Porsche dealers in the second half of this year for a price of $89,900 and it will come in Lava Grey Metallic with special design stripes adorning the sides and the hood.