Karmann

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Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabrück, Germany is the largest independent company in the motor vehicle industry in Germany. Over the course of more than a century, they have undertaken various roles, from design to production and assembly of components, for various well-known manufacturers of automobiles including Chrysler, Porsche, and Volkswagen.

Some well-known cars produced by Karmann in Osnabrück in the 20th century are the VW Beetle cabriolet (1949-1980), a total of 331,874 vehicles, and, most closely associated with the Karmann name, the Karmann Ghia. Between 1955 and 1974, 443,482 Karmann Ghias were manufactured by Karmann, placing their own sports car-style body on the chassis of the Volkswagen Beetle. Later in the 20th century, they assembled the Scirocco, Corrado, and Cabriolet for Volkswagen. As the original company was Karmann Coachworks, a coach builder, Volkswagen models built by Karmann show a small wagon wheel as an extra emblem. Karmann also built the Ford Sierra for the American market, sold under the Merkur name, Merkur being German for Mercury.

"Javelin/U.S.A. Montage/Karmann" on the cover of a 10-page brochure (multi-language) showing the American car

Perhaps less known, but significant because this was an entirely American car, was Karmann's assembly of complete knock down (CKD) kits in an agreement with American Motors Corporation (AMC). In 1968, AMC introduced the Javelin, a new competitor in the US "pony car" segment. AMC did not have a manufacturing subsidiary in Europe, therefore, Karmann assembled the American designed car for distribution in Europe. Karmann built the cars in Rheine with 5.6 liter (343 in³) engines and they were named "Javelin 79-K".

Karmann is best known today for its work on cabriolets. It provides roof-components for many of the cabriolets we see on our streets today, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLK, the Renault Mégane CC and the Volkswagen New Beetle Cabrio. Both the headquarters in Osnabrück and the additional facility in Rheine also construct complete vehicles, such as both of the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet, the Audi A4 Cabrio, both of the Mercedes-Benz CLK and Chrysler Crossfire. A small number of vehicles is produced in Brazil São Bernardo

Other facilities at Sunderland/UK Nissan Micra C+C, Puebla/Mexico Volkswagen New Beetle Cabrio and Plymouth/US Pontiac G6 are manufacturing roof systems just in sequence close to the customer.

A large part of the development of the Chrysler Crossfire was done independently by Karmann, and the vehicle is produced by Karman in Osnabrück. Karmann will supply the retractable hardtop on the Pontiac G6 as well as the convertible top for the next-generation Chrysler Sebring convertible.

For more details take a look at www.karmann.com

[edit] Karmann total car production

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

[edit] Current car production at Karmann Germany

• Audi Convertible Base Audi A4
• Chrysler Crossfire Coupé
• Chrysler Crossfire Roadster
• Mercedes CLK Convertible

[edit] Current production of car modules

Karmann currently is producing car modules for vehicles as follows:

• Roofmodules
  • Audi A4 Convertible, 2001
  • Bentley Continental GTC Convertible, 2006
  • Chrysler Crossfire Roadster
  • Mercedes CLK Convertible, (98
  • Nissan Micra C+C - coupé convertible, 2005
  • Renault Mégane CC coupé convertible, 2002
  • VW New Beetle Convertible
  • Pontiac/GM: G6, coupé convertible, 2007
  • Chrysler: Sebring, Convertible/coupé convertible, 2007

• Chassis
  • Mercedes-Benz SLK
  • Spyker C8 Spyder

[edit] External links

• Karmann's official web site

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