Porsche chose the Austrian car assembly company Magna Steyr to build its Boxster and Cayman models starting in 2012, the German sports car builder announced today. Currently, Valmet Automotive assembles the entry-level product, along with the near-identical Cayman hardtop. Valmet’s contract was extended last year until 2011.
The Metso unit is not the only assembly facility for the popular roadster, but it has built over 200,000 units since 1997, as per Automotive News.
“Our decision not to continue the successful cooperation is in no way a vote against Valmet. Rather, it was the high development capacity and competence of our future partner that tipped the balance,” said Holger Haerter, Porsche finance chief.
Magna Steyr also builds BMW’s X3, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Saab 9-3 convertible, Chrysler’s diesel and right-hand drive 300 and 300C as well as Jeep’s Grand Cherokee and Commander. Last year, the company was also in the running to get the four-door Aston Martin Rapide.
06/26, 8:51 AM
posted by:
xyunya
… and Fuhrer smiling upon his children …
06/26, 9:12 AM
posted by:
kitko
xyunya, just for the record,
Chrysler’s smiling too, as Magna Styer produces majority of Chrysler models available in Europe – Chrysler Voyager, Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander, Grand Cherokee. Add few BMWs to that too.
It also developed Mercedes 4-matic 4WD system and produces a famous G-Wagen. Last but not least, it also developed 4×4 system for one Renault Scenic’s strange 4×4 MPV version. It’s a popular choice for 4×4 cars.
06/26, 9:24 AM
posted by:
xyunya
Few short months ago Chrysler was German company. For your sense of history and geography, BMW is German company, but less loved by Fuhrer then Mercedes-Benz.
And for the record: Chrysler ain’t smiling, last I’ve heard they been royally ****ed (pardon my French).
06/26, 9:43 AM
posted by:
kitko
“smiling” was used just to follow up on your post
Chrysler was manufacturig Voyager in Austria long before merger with Daimler Benz. Whether it was German or American after that is up for discussion, same can be said about Rolls-Royce being German or British, although RR is 100 owned by BMW and Daimler-Chrysler was 51-49 with two CEOs at the beginning.
Don’t worry about my sense of geography and history, I live about 250 km / 160 miles from Styer, although I currently reside north of THE BORDER.
06/26, 10:54 AM
posted by:
moto-racer13
Isn’t Magna a Canadian company? I read that they make 60% of parts for BMW, so does that make BMW more a Canadian company than German? Magna seems to be able to build almost every component that goes into a car, I think Magna should start building its own cars, with Ford and GM going downhill, we need another new domestic automaker, although it would be Canadian, but everything I own that is Canadian made (my mountain bike, blackberry, and jet ski)has been rock solid quality. So I would totally be happy with Magna building its own cars.
06/26, 11:06 AM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
I wondered the same moto-racer13.
According to wikipedia-”Magna Steyr (properly Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG ) is an automobile manufacturer based in Oberwaltersdorf, Austria. It is a subsidiary of Canadian-based Magna International”
So it’s an Austrian company, but a subsidiary nonetheless to a Canadian parent company. Kinda like how Holden or Opel is a subsidiary of GM?
Well whatever they make from whatever company they seem to make right.
06/26, 11:14 AM
posted by:
moto-racer13
Interesting to know need4sspeed. Just read that Frank Stronach who started the company is Austrian who immigrated to Canada as a young man in his early 20’s and started out working as a basic metal worker in some factory in Toronto, later he saved his money and bought a small factory in Toronto and from that began the multi billion dollar success story that is currently Magna. Not bad for some young kid with almost no money coming to a new country and creating an international corporation. You gotta have respect for people like that.
06/26, 12:11 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
oh wow that I didn’t know. Oh yeah I have a lot of respect for people like that. Well it just goes to show what you can do with alot of ambition and motivation.
06/26, 9:41 PM
posted by:
Veda
Great news as Magna’s record for quality is impressive.
06/27, 12:57 AM
posted by:
bigp
well what dont they make in that company