Karmann shuts up shop
June 24, 2009 by Matt Brogan
German-based coachbuilder Karmann, best known for the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, has officially closed its doors after being forced to file for bankruptcy in April.
The company produced 3.3 million convertibles and more than 1 million coupes for larger car companies since 1949 but due to falling demand in the face of the recent economic downturn, Karmann has shut up shop for the last time.
“We could no longer avoid shutting down the vehicle assembly line because auto manufacturers’ strategies have changed,” said Karmann official Ottmar Hermann.
Given the firm’s dire financial position the company’s remaining 2240 employees were left without a severance package when the doors closed yesterday.
In addition to the Ghia, Karmann will be remembered for such models as 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.
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*****PRIMO!*****
Thats a shame, lots will be unemployed, bit of a icon company really, with great history why does’nt Porker or Benz buy it?Or even the Chinese?
Cheers
F-0
They made the Mégane II CC’s folding glass roof. Shame to see them go.
The restructuring of the Wilhelm Karmann Company’s German operations and the previously announced closure of its vehicle assembly line in Germany will not have a major impact on Karmann’s successful operations in North America.
Does anyone know what will happen to the Karmann museum?