Karmann – the Osnabrueck, Germany-based coachbuilder best known for the Karmann Ghia – has officially closed its doors. Karmann was quietly put up for sale about a year ago after a dramatic drop in sales, but was forced to file for bankruptcy in April.
Although the German company is best known for the Karmann Ghia, it has actually produced 3.3 million convertibles and more than 1 million coupes for larger car companies since 1949. However, the recent economic downturn has greatly reduced demand for its services, forcing Karmann to close its doors for good.
“We could no longer avoid shutting down the vehicle assembly line because auto manufacturers’ strategies have changed,” Ottmar Hermann, a Karmann official, told The Local.
A rift between management and unions is also said to be responsible for the company’s ultimate downfall. Karmann closed shop on Monday with 2,240 workers, down from 5,000 employees a year earlier. Karmann’s dire financial situation has also forced the company to cancel all severance packages.
Karmann’s body of work includes the Porsche 914, Volkswagen Golf convertible, Audi A4 convertible, Chrysler Crossfire coupe and convertible, Chrysler Sebring convertible, Pontiac G6 convertible and the Mercedes-Benz CLK convertible – the latter the last to roll off Karmann’s production line.
06/23, 6:29 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Wow, that’s terrible. They are one of the leading retractible hardtop suppliers…like the Mercedes SL, SLK, and Lexus SC430. And geez, all the cool/odd cars they built…Triumph TR6, BMW 3.0CS and 635CSI, AMC Javelin, Merkur XR4Ti. Shame, shame, shame.
06/23, 6:37 PM
posted by:
2morrowdesign
Today is a sad day for the gearhead.
06/23, 8:32 PM
posted by:
athens
Apparently other companies must build convertible tops under license from Karmann. I believe that the folding hard convertible top for the brand new Infiniti G37 is a Karmann product.
06/23, 9:09 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
No more or less tragic than any other bankruptcy, right? I mean, if Karmann actually would build products people want while also having competent management they wouldn’t be in this situation.
06/23, 9:24 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
You OK mayer_ray? That’s the most subtle comment you’ve posted in weeks.
06/23, 9:28 PM
posted by:
AutoCritical
What a shame…
We can only wait till many years down when someone tries to revive it!
06/23, 9:49 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Sorry Johnny – the neighbor’s hot wife distracted me. She’s pulling weeds in some skimpy shorts and not exactly reaching to pull them in a ladylike fashion.
06/23, 9:54 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Gotcha mayer_ray. It’s tough to type with one hand.
06/23, 10:39 PM
posted by:
projectzr1
^^
Wow…
06/23, 10:59 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
More like with my toes. Gotta hold the beer too.
06/24, 2:45 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
Oh God, and now with the global warming and that what the world is going to do without convertibles?!
06/25, 9:53 AM
posted by:
Larry Weis
The information posted by Left Lane News is incorrect. Karmann is still alive and well. There vehicle assembly line in Germany was shut down and they are restructuring in Germany, but there North American operations, for example, are unaffected.
06/25, 10:34 AM
posted by:
Top Cover
The above comment is accurate. The only Karmann faciilty affected is the Osnabruck, Germany location. All others including the Poland facility are not involved.
06/25, 11:25 AM
posted by:
Safur
Karmann is well and is still supplying convertible tops to major OEMs. In fact, Karmann USA is operating successfully and just recently launched Karmann Classics, a new aftermarket unit, restoring convertible tops of classic Karmann Ghias and Beetle convertibles. (Per comment of athens): Yes, Karmann continues to supply the top for the new Infiniti G37.