Karmann

Karmann

Coordinates: 52°15′57″N 8°4′40″E / 52.26583°N 8.07778°E / 52.26583; 8.07778 (Karmann-Werk, Osnabrück)

Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
Type GmbH -
(public limited company)
Industry Automotive industry
Founded 1901 (1901)
Headquarters Osnabrück, Germany
Number of locations Osnabrück, Germany;
Rheine, Germany;
Bissendorf Germany;
São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
Area served Worldwide
Key people Jobst Wellensiek
Products convertible automobiles;
niche vehicles;
convertible roof components
Services Automotive design;
research and development
Divisions Automotive Global Service GmbH, Osnabrueck;
Karmann Engineering-Services GmbH, Bissendorf;
Karmann-Rheine GmbH & Co. KG, Rheine;
Karmann Rheine – Verwaltungs GmbH, Rheine
Karmann-Ghia Żary – Roof Systems, Żary, Poland

Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, commonly known simply as Karmann, in Osnabrück, Germany, was until 2009 the largest independent motor vehicle manufacturing company in Germany. For more than a century, they have undertaken various roles, from design to production and assembly of components, for various automobile manufacturers; including Chrysler, Porsche and Volkswagen Group.

Falling demand drove the Karmann company, along with other financially connected businesses, to file for protective insolvency on 8 April 2009. Insolvency practitioner Ottmar Hermann followed some of the approach seen with the earlier insolvency of Woolworths' German business, and the Karmann business is emerging with little independence, but supported by significant cash investment from long-standing customer Volkswagen. Resumption of car production with a new version of the Volkswagen Golf cabriolet is scheduled for March 2011.

Read more about Karmann:  Notable Programmes, Karmann Total Car Production, Motorhomes, Current Production of Car Modules, Former Production of Car Modules, Bankruptcy