Why didn't Germany upgrade the Panzer IV further instead of going for the Panther?

[Soyjaktron]

The Panther was really expensive and unreliable as well as being too heavy to be used during muddy terrain and I haven't had a precise answer yet that I can understand but I know that the Panther was expensive and I just think the Panzer IV being more upgraded would be a cheaper and more reliable powerhouse of the industry.

 

[We Are The Witches]

Lack of vision I guess, if it ended up being a failure for the circumstances.

 

[Poppavalyim Andropoff]

short answer is they'd top'd out as much as the panzer chassis could handle.

 

[SITHRAK!]

PzIV was already outnumbered by hordes of cheap shoddy T-34’s and upgunned Shermans. The hope was that the Panther would provide greater survivability for the increasingly scarce German soldiers, hence the thicker, sloped armor. That proved to not be the case, as mobility was a factor that the Panther tanks had issues with and negated any advantages in armor or firepower.