Karmann have gone into liquidation

[Ugly Bloke 0]

FRANKFURT (AP) — German auto company Karmann, which made the classic VW Karmann Ghia two-seater from the 1950s to the 1970s and also has built convertibles for Audi and Chrysler, filed for bankruptcy protection Wednesday, blaming the sharp decline in demand for cars for its predicament.

 

Karmann said in a statement that it faced "insolvency in view of impending financial obligations."

 

Osnabrueck-based Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, which employs nearly 7,000 workers, said the fallout from the global financial crisis and the sharp decline in demand for cars had undermined a restructuring plan it drew up last September.

 

The company, like other auto makers, has been buffeted by a startling drop in demand for new cars from consumers reluctant to spend.

 

That caused the company to cut 1,800 workers last year after it completed production of the Chrysler Crossfire model for the U.S. automaker, the Mercedes-Benz CLK for Daimler AG and Audi AG's A4.

 

In a statement, Karmann said it aims to reorganize and restructure its operations with an aim toward preserving its future and the jobs of its workers and would continue operations. It has facilities in Germany, the ****** States, Portugal, Mexico, Britain and Poland.

 

Karmann has been in business since 1901 and built the Volkswagen Beetle convertible, a job it undertook in 1949 after its factory, destroyed during World War II, was rebuilt.

 

That was followed by the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, a two-seat, low-slung convertible attached to the chassis of the all-purpose Beetle that was manufactured from 1951 to 1976.

 

It later built versions of Ford Motor Co.'s Escort line and Renault's 19 convertible. In 1995, Karmann designed a retractable hardtop roof for the Mercedes-Benz SLK that slid back at the push of a button.

 

Karmann also worked with South Korean automaker Kia on its Sportage sport-utility vehicle

 

When Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen AG reintroduced the modern Beetle, Karmann was tasked with building the convertible, version.

 

Since 1949, the company has built more than 3.3 million cars.

[Yandards 0]

Well burger.

 

I wonder what will happen to the museum cars?

[dirtytorque 0]

Well burger.

 

I wonder what will happen to the museum cars?

 

wanting to add to the fleet?

:lol:

 

 

the vultures are out already :)

[vwdeviant 0]

Bad news... Although I get the feeling they may continue and be "Hoovered up" by the VAG group

 

Well burger.

 

I wonder what will happen to the museum cars?

 

 

Auction maybe?

 

In teh market for a 16vG60 Yan?

[Guest]

I'm sure Eric will be along to correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the museum cars were in the private ownership of the Karmann family.

They may well be stored at the factory....... ah, which might be what you mean?

Where on earth could all those cars be moved to if they can not remain in the factory 'garage'?

[mattnorgrove 0]

Another sign of the increasingly worrying times.

 

Not a mention for the humble Corrado in that article either I notice.

[Topaz2008 0]

Very sad news to hear but reflects the state of the motor industry in general :(

[Sonicriot13 0]

If that G60 Valver comes up for sale it's mine. Get yer mitts off! :lol:

 

Seriously though that is proper sh!t news. :( After what Eric was saying at the AGM it doesn't come as a huge shock though. :(

[Jim 2]

Such a shame... really is :( Our Corrado's can't go "home" any more :(

[vwdeviant 0]

All they seem to be doing is "Roof modules" for:

 

Audi A4 convertible, 2001

Bentley Continental GTC convertible, 2006

BMW 1 Series convertible

Mercedes CLK convertible

Nissan Micra C+C retractable hardtop, 2005

Renault Mégane CC retractable hardtop, 2002

VW New Beetle convertible

Pontiac G6 retractable hardtop, 2007

Chrysler Sebring (convertible) retractable hardtop & convertible softtop, 2007

Ford Mustang (convertible), 2007

 

None of these are particularly "High-volume" convertables either...

[vwdeviant 0]

From the Guardian:

"Together with the court-appointed insolvency administrator, the goal will be to lead the newly structured Karmann corporate group into a secure future and save as many jobs as possible," Karmann said in a statement.

A spokesman explained that operations would continue just as before since the company had virtually no bank debt, rather Karmann was forced to file for insolvency under German law since it could not pay for the massive layoff plan.

 

So maybe not quite such horrendous(sp) news?

[swiftkid 1]

first one to karman factory gets the 16vg60!!!

[__Andy__ 0]

any chance karmann will take body parts as payment? id happily give a couple of toes, maybe a finger for that 16vg60...

 

but seriously, does anyone think it will actually be up for sale?

[OllieVR6 0]

*Gets in his uninsured VR6*

 

See ya there! :wave:

[swiftkid 1]

*gets in his VR6 without an engine* BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM, BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM... lol

 

apparently all this downfall is perking up a bit though, and from what i've heard i doubt they will be shutting completely. fingers crossed at least!

[Sonicriot13 0]

You never hear the good news. The motor trade isn't all that bad. In fact quite the opposite for me. I sold more cars last month by a long way than I have in any other month (including the March plate change last year) that I've been in car sales. And it's a similar story at all of our sites. Yeah some people are really struggling but mostly it's the high end stuff and the component manufacturers because a lot of factories have slowed production. The problem is you really aren't getting the whole story in the media. I am really struggling hard to keep enough used stock on the forecourt. It's selling faster than it can be replenished.

[davidwort 0]

when we were at the factory they said they had all the Corrado body panel press mouldings still, basically all you need to reproduce a new Corrado shell, hope they don't go for scrap.

[vwdeviant 0]

when we were at the factory they said they had all the Corrado body panel press mouldings still, basically all you need to reproduce a new Corrado shell, hope they don't go for scrap.

 

Damn, and I know a co over here who have access to Body presses too! They knock out Split screen panels using the original Dies... albeit a tad worn now! :lol:

 

Group buy anyone? :luvlove:

[Ugly Bloke 0]

All they seem to be doing is "Roof modules" for:

 

Audi A4 convertible, 2001

Bentley Continental GTC convertible, 2006

BMW 1 Series convertible

Mercedes CLK convertible

Nissan Micra C+C retractable hardtop, 2005

Renault Mégane CC retractable hardtop, 2002

VW New Beetle convertible

Pontiac G6 retractable hardtop, 2007

Chrysler Sebring (convertible) retractable hardtop & convertible softtop, 2007

Ford Mustang (convertible), 2007

 

None of these are particularly "High-volume" convertables either...

 

Convertibles aren't really high volume full stop. In the UK there are certainly more spotted than anywhere else in Europe, it gives us a false perception. I travel to France and Italy quite regularly & convertibles are a rare sighting. Karmann don't build a high volume car for anyone anymore, no Corrado, Scirocco or even a BMW C/CS, old shape 6 series.

 

Hell we've all done rubbish jobs to keep the wolf from the door, but building one of these, in that shocking pillow biter pink. :shock: Nissan Micra C+C retractable hardtop, 2005 :camp:

[Ugly Bloke 0]

Cars Karmann built or part built.

 

Since its beginning in 1901, Karmann has built more than three million complete vehicles of the models as follows. Exceptions as indicated

 

AMC Javelin Coupé 1968 300 Units

Audi 80 Convertible 1997 - 2000 12.112 Units

Audi A4 Convertible 2002 - today 81.959 Units (Base: End 2004)

BMW 2000 C/CS 1965 - 1970 13.696 only Body in White

BMW 3,0 CS 1971 - 1975 21.147 Units

BMW 635 CSI 1976 - 1989 86.314 Units

Chrysler Crossfire Coupé 2003 - 2008 37.896 Units

Chrysler Crossfire Convertible 2003 - 2008 16.269 Units

Ford Escort RS Cosworth 1992 - 1996 8.082 Units

Ford Escort FEC Convertible 1983 - 1990 104.237 Units

Ford Escort Convertible 1990 - 1997 80.620 Units

Ford Merkur XR4Ti, U.S. version of the Ford Sierra XR4i

Karmann Ghia Convertible 1957 - 1974 80.881 Units

Karmann Ghia Coupé 1955 - 1974 362.601 Units

Karmann Ghia Type34 1961 - 1969 42.505 Unit

Land Rover Defender 2002 - 2005 2.777 Units (in Brazil)

Mercedes CLK A208 Convertible 1998 - 2003 115.264 Units

Mercedes CLK C208 Coupé 2000 - 2002 28.706 Units

Mercedes CLK A209 Convertible 2003 - today

Nissan Micra C+C 2006 - today

Porsche 912

Porsche 914 1969 - 1976 118.949 Units

Porsche 968 1991 - 1994 11.803 only Body in White

Renault 19 Convertible 1990 - 1996 29.222 Body in White and soft tops

Renault Mégane I Convertible 1996 - 2003 74.096 Body in White and soft tops

Renault Mégane CC since 2004 only retractable hardtops

Triumph TR6 1969 - 1976

VW Corrado 1988 - 1995 97.521 Units

VW Golf I Convertible 1979 - 1993 388.522 Units

VW Golf III Convertible 1993 - 1997 129.475 Units

VW Golf IV Convertible (Base Golf III) 1997 - 2001 82.588 Units

VW Golf III Variant 1997 - 1999 80.928 Units

VW Beetle Convertible 1949 - 1980 331.847 Units

VW Scirocco I 1974 - 1981 504.153 Units

VW Scirocco II 1981 - 1992 291.497 Units

[davidwort 0]

makes you realise what a sales failure the Corrado was, compare the production figures with the mk1 & 2 rocco.

[colinstubbs 0]

makes you realise what a sales failure the Corrado was, compare the production figures with the mk1 & 2 rocco.

 

The timing for the Corrado's release was economically all to cock though wasn't it, like the new Scirocco!

[Jim 2]

You guys can bicker over the 16vG60 - I'll take the Escort Costworth with only 53km on the clock. And the absolutely factory fresh VR with just about every option ticked (factory aircon, leather, airbags, etc) :)

[mrbeige 0]

The company I work for is doing a roof control module for Karmann :D ;)

[vwdeviant 0]

You guys can bicker over the 16vG60 - I'll take the Escort Costworth with only 53km on the clock. And the absolutely factory fresh VR with just about every option ticked (factory aircon, leather, airbags, etc) :)

 

Airbags??? Will all the boxes ticked is it a Storm :D (runs and hides!)

 

And as an aside for those wondering what a "Type34" K-Ghia is:

 

:luvlove: :luvlove: :luvlove: :luvlove: :luvlove:

 

In my top 3 of Air-cooleds still to own (one day I WILL have one!)