Rong Xu and Bruce Wang

“A test drive opened up the Porsche universe for me.”

Rong Xu, Chairman of Porsche Club China Shanghai Region

Rong Xu and Bruce Wang are looking for suitable properties for the new Porsche Clubhouse in Shanghai

Personal passion for Porsche

Rong Xu focuses on investment, a businessman through and through who loves fast cars. In 2008, a Porsche Sales Advisor persuaded him to take a test drive. “Actually, as a BMW enthusiast, I only wanted to do a few laps with another brand, but the test drive opened up the Porsche universe for me. It did not take long before there was a Panamera in my garage.” Bruce Wang works in real estate and finance. “I know the Porsche brand from my time in the USA. After I returned to Shanghai, it was time for my first Porsche – also a Panamera.” They got to know each other via social media and talked about their passion for Porsche.

The dual leaders of the Porsche Club China Shanghai Region on a trip through Shanghai’s city centre to get insipration for a new clubhouse

The idea quickly emerged to set up a Porsche Club in Shanghai like the Clubs that already existed in other cities around the world. Thus the Club was launched in 2008, becoming the official Porsche Club China Shanghai Region in 2018. Despite its quite young history, it was able to establish itself quickly and is now travelling in the fast lane. With over 1,000 members, it is one of the largest local Porsche Clubs. And many more people regularly take part in the diverse range of events.

“Being a member of the Porsche Club China Shanghai Region means being part of a community, being part of the Porsche family.”

Bruce Wang, Vice Chairman of Porsche Club China Shanghai Region

A clubhouse inspired by art

Rong Xu and Bruce Wang came up with new ideas that are designed to strengthen the community. One of these ideas entails a clubhouse of a different kind. “There is already a clubhouse with its own café, but we want to take this idea even further. We want the Porsche Club China Shanghai Region Clubhouse to become a unique location. A location in which local artists can showcase their work, a large exhibition room for other events, so that we can meet up, exchange ideas and information and simply have a good time together,” says Bruce Wang, describing his vision. “The Art Club has a deep connection with the Porsche Club China Shanghai Region. We would love the artists to work, study and create art together in the clubhouse and that the work relates to the Porsche Club China Shanghai Region. We hope that the art clubhouse will enrich the Porsche Club China Shanghai Region’s Club activities,” explains Rong Xu. Together with local artists, they are currently developing the concept of the new clubhouse, visiting artists in their studios and discussing which works of art would be best suited. The exciting thing about this is that many of the artists are themselves Porsche Club members, which is how the idea came about in the first place.

Rong Xu and Bruce Wang visit a local artist in her studio and get an impression of her work

“For me, the Porsche Club China Shanghai Region is a platform that unites the members through their shared passion for the Porsche brand – but which goes far beyond that,” explains Rong Xu. “Being a member means being part of a community, being part of the Porsche family,” adds Bruce. Their link to the brand, the history behind it and the associated culture, plays a major part for both of them.

Rong Xu and Bruce Wang work as a team to plan and organise the varied Club activities for their members

New clubhouse, new possibilities

But things looked quite different at the start. When Rong, Bruce and a few other Porsche drivers met for the first time just over 14 years ago, their main aim was to be able to drive together in a sporty way. The group quickly became 20, then 50 participants. Today, Rong and Bruce organise their diverse Club events for well over 1,000 members and even more guests. “In Shanghai, the Club members are often very young, many of them in their twenties, so we adapt our programme accordingly,” explains Rong Xu. “We’ve seen that 911 drivers love track events, so we regularly hire racetracks for our Club members,” Bruce says.

“Of course we are changing the Porsche Club, but the Club is also changing us.”

Bruce Wang, Vice Chairman of Porsche Club China Shanghai Region

There is also always room for families: often both partners are members and take their children to events. In addition to sports events, which naturally also include golf, sailing and skating, cultural offerings are playing an increasingly important role. “In the future, we would like to use our clubhouse to enjoy art and to come together in a relaxed atmosphere,” adds Bruce, and shows us a place that inspires him: the Q Art Club – a popular place where modern Chinese art from younger artists is displayed.

Rong and Bruce get their inspiration for the clubhouse in Shanghai in the Q Art Club

Teamwork as a recipe for success

Both have found their individual roles in their cooperation over the last few years. Bruce is technically minded, he likes to optimise things and is always looking for better solutions. Rong’s strength lies in advancing ideas, communicating them externally and activating members. “Together we are now driving forward our project of the new Porsche Clubhouse,” says Rong Xu.

The passion for Porsche brought the two men together and is the motivation behind their commitment to the Porsche Club China Shanghai Region

Once the clubhouse project is complete, the next item is already on the agenda. “We want to make greater use of the opportunities offered by digitalisation for the Club and expand the digital offering. We can imagine establishing simulator events and competing in virtual races against each other,” says Bruce when describing his next idea. “Of course we are changing the Porsche Club, but the Club is also changing us,” says Bruce. “The interests and the people we surround ourselves with all have an impact on our commitment to the Porsche Club, but also on us and our personal lives.”