- For Karman, see: Kármán (disambiguation)
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Coordinates: 52°15′57″N 8°4′40″E / 52.26583°N 8.07778°E
| Type | GmbH - (public limited company) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1901 |
| Headquarters | Osnabrück, Germany |
| Number of locations | Osnabrück, Germany; Rheine, Germany; Bissendorf Germany; São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Key people | Dr. Jobst Wellensiek Chairman of the Supervisory Board |
| Industry | Automotive industry |
| 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 |
| Website | Karmann.com |
Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, commonly known simply as Karmann, in Osnabrück, Germany is the largest independent motor vehicle manufacturing company 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 automobile manufacturers; including Chrysler, Porsche, Volkswagen Group and DuraCar.
Contents |
Notable programmes
Some of the most well-known cars produced by Karmann in the 20th century are the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet (1949-1980), and, most closely associated with the Karmann name, the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. Between 1955 and 1974, 443,482 VW Karmann Ghias were manufactured, 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 Golf Cabriolet for Volkswagen. Karmann also built the Ford Sierra for the American market, sold under the Merkur brand by Lincoln / Mercury dealers. Many Karmann produced vehicles carry a small wagon wheel emblem, the coat of arms of Osnabrück, where the company was founded.
Karmann assembled complete knock down (CKD) kits in an agreement with American Motors (AMC).[2] In 1968, AMC introduced the Javelin, a new competitor in the U.S. "pony car" segment. AMC did not have a manufacturing subsidiary in Europe, therefore, Karmann assembled the American designed car for distribution in Europe.[3] Karmann built the cars in Rheine with 280 horsepower (209 kW) 343 cu in (5.6 L) V8 engines and they were named "Javelin 79-K".[4]
Karmann is best known today for its work on convertibles / cabriolets. It provides roof-components for many current cabriolet automobiles, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLK, the Renault Mégane CC, and the Volkswagen New Beetle Cabriolet.
Both the headquarters in Osnabrück, and the additional facility in Rheine also construct complete vehicles, such as the former Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet, the former Audi A4 Cabriolet, the Mercedes-Benz CLK, and the Chrysler Crossfire. A small number of vehicles are also produced in Brazil São Bernardo do Campo. The Osnabrück facility also produces the chassis and body panels of the Spyker C8 Spyder.
Other facilities at Sunderland UK, Puebla Mexico, and Plymouth Township U.S. are manufacturing roof systems for the Nissan Micra C+C, Volkswagen New Beetle Cabriolet, and Pontiac G6, respectively.
It is one of the only plants that built cars for the second and third-largest North American automakers Ford (along with its now-defunct Merkur luxury brand) and Chrysler.
A large part of the development of the Chrysler Crossfire was done independently by Karmann, and the vehicle is produced at their Osnabrück facility. Karmann U.S. also supplies the top for the third-generation Chrysler Sebring (convertible) and Ford Mustang Convertible.
Karmann total car production
Since its beginning in 1901, Karmann has built more than three million complete vehicles of the models as follows,[citation needed] exceptions as indicated:
| car make / type | years | number of cars | comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMC Javelin Coupé | 1968 | 300 | |
| Audi 80 Convertible | 1997 - 2000 | 12,112 | |
| Audi A4 Cabriolet & Audi S4 Cabriolet | 2002 - today | 81,959 | base: end 2004 |
| BMW 2000 C/CS | 1965 - 1970 | 13,696 | only body in white |
| BMW 3.0 CS | 1971 - 1975 | 21,147 | |
| BMW 635 CSI | 1976 - 1989 | 86,314 | |
| Chrysler Crossfire Coupé | 2003 - 2008 | 37,896 | |
| Chrysler Crossfire Convertible | 2003 - 2008 | 16,269 | |
| Ford Escort FEC Convertible | 1983 - 1990 | 104,237 | |
| Ford Escort Convertible | 1990 - 1997 | 80,620 | |
| Ford Escort RS Cosworth | 1992 - 1996 | 8,082 | |
| Merkur XR4Ti | U.S. version of the Ford Sierra XR4i | ||
| Land Rover Defender | 2002 - 2005 | 2,777 | in Brazil |
| Mercedes CLK A208 Convertible | 1998 - 2003 | 115,264 | |
| Mercedes CLK C208 Coupé | 2000 - 2002 | 28,706 | |
| Mercedes CLK A209 Convertible | 2003 - today | ||
| Nissan Micra C+C | 2006 - today | ||
| Porsche 356 | |||
| Porsche 912 | |||
| Porsche 914 | 1969 - 1976 | 118,949 | |
| Porsche 968 | 1991 - 1994 | 11,803 | only Body in White |
| Renault 19 Convertible | 1990 - 1996 | 29,222 | Body in White and soft tops |
| Renault Mégane I Convertible | 1996 - 2003 | 74,096 | body in white and soft tops |
| Renault Mégane CC | 2004 - today | only retractable hardtops | |
| Triumph TR6 | 1969 - 1976 | ||
| Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | 1949 - 1980 | 331,847 | |
| Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupé | 1955 - 1974 | 362,601 | |
| Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible | 1957 - 1974 | 80,881 | |
| Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type34 | 1961 - 1969 | 42,505 | |
| Volkswagen Golf Mk1 Convertible | 1979 - 1993 | 388,522 | |
| Volkswagen Corrado | 1988 - 1995 | 97,521 | |
| Volkswagen Golf Mk3 Convertible | 1993 - 1997 | 129,475 | |
| Volkswagen Golf Mk3 Variant | 1997 - 1999 | 80,928 | |
| Volkswagen Golf Mk4 Convertible | 1997 - 2001 | 82,588 | base Golf Mk3 |
| Volkswagen Scirocco I | 1974 - 1981 | 504,153 | |
| Volkswagen Scirocco II | 1981 - 1992 | 291,497 |
Karmann Motorhome production
The first motorhomes produced by Karmann were based on the Volkswagen Type 2 chassis, and was launched in 1974 on the late 'Bay Window' chassis. The bodies of these early Karmann’s were of a sandwich structure, had two beds, kitchen, shower, waste water tank, rear body supports, secondary battery, toilet, hot water heater and gas heating. It came with an optional luggage rack over the driving cab. Production of the Type 2 vehicles continued through until 1979, with approximately 1,000 units.
With the introduction of the Volkswagen Type 3 (Vanagon/Transporter/T25) in 1979, Karmann gave the motorhomes a permanent overhead can area with a bed for two people. Between 1980 and 1992, Karmann manufactured 741 Karmann Gipsy's using the chassis of Volkswagen Type 3. This number excludes 30 or more Type 3 Syncro models made between 1986 and 1989, and 7 Syncro 16" models made between 1991 and 1992. Parallel to that, 113 Karmann Cheetah's were manufactured, contributing to a grand total of 891 units. Contrary to popular belief, none of the Gipsy or Cheetah production was done at the Osnabrück factory. Production of these models was performed at the Karmann factory at Rheine.
During the years of 1978 to 1996, approximately 3,103 Karmann Coachbuilt LT's were produced. These models were named the LT "M", LT "L 1", LT "L 2", LT "L Distance Wide", LT "L Distance-Wide Gold", LT "H Distance-Wide", LT "H Distance-Wide Gold", LT "S Distance-Wide", and arguably the ultimate Karmann Coachbuilt of the time, the LT "Distance-Wide Autovilla".
From 1996, the design was updated and new Karmann models were based on new Volkswagen T4 and were named Colorado and Missouri.
In the year 2000, Karmann Mobil was sold at Eura Mobil, although Karmann Mobil operates as an independent enterprise within the Eura Mobil group.
In the year 2003, new superstructures on basis of the fifth Transporter generation, the T5s were introduced.
| Volkswagen Karmann Gipsy | 1980 - 1992 | 778 units (including Synchro's) |
| Volkswagen Karmann Cheetah | 1980 - 1992 | 113 units |
Current car production at Karmann Germany
Current production of car modules
Karmann currently is producing car modules for the following vehicles:
- Roofmodules
- Audi A4 and Audi S4 Cabriolet, 2001
- Bentley Continental GTC convertible, 2006
- BMW 1 Series convertible
- Mercedes CLK convertible
- Nissan Micra C+C retractable hardtop, 2005
- Renault Mégane CC retractable hardtop, 2002
- Volkswagen New Beetle Cabriolet
- Pontiac G6 retractable hardtop, 2007
- Chrysler Sebring (convertible) retractable hardtop & convertible softtop, 2007
- Ford Mustang (convertible), 2007
Former production of car modules
- Chrysler Crossfire Coupé 2001 - 2007
- Chrysler Crossfire Roadster 2003 - 2007
Bankruptcy
On 8 April 2009, Karmann filed for bankruptcy protection due to the sharp decline in demand for cars, and the company's financial obligations.[5] Volkswagen revealed on October 24, 2009 that it had made an offer to acquire long-time partner Karmann.[6]
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Karmann vehicles |
- Quicc!
- Magna Steyr in Austria
- Bertone and Pininfarina in Italy
- Heuliez in France
- Valmet Automotive in Finland
References
- ^ "Welcome to Karmann". Wilhelm Karmann GmbH. Karmann.com. http://www.karmann.com/__C1256DF700512B86.nsf/html/en_wko_index.html. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
- ^ Mitchell, Larry G. (2000). AMC Muscle Cars. MotorBooks/MBI. pp. 43–44. ISBN 9780760307618. http://books.google.com/books?id=JHVaQFDrx_MC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=Karmann+Javelin&source=web&ots=d-4c_ixeZF&sig=gIFWywZezPO0uBNRJsIzAM7yp_0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=16&ct=result.
- ^ Mederle, Wolfgang A. (2005-12-27). "American Motors - 'Der Karmann Javelin'". American-Motors.de. http://www.american-motors.de/en/karmann. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
- ^ "1961 to 1970". Karmann Company History. Karmann.com. undated. http://www.karmann.com/__C1256DF700512B86.nsf/html/en_69dbbd33fb9bc722c1256dc60034ab21.html. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
- ^ AP (8 April 2009), "Germany's Karmann Files Bankruptcy", The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/04/08/business/AP-EU-Germany-Karmann-Bankruptcy.html, retrieved 8 April 2009[dead link]
- ^ "Volkswagen May Take Over Carmaker Karmann, Spiegel Reports", Bloomberg, October 24, 2009.
External links
- Karmann.com official website
- Karmann-Mobil Vertriebs GmbH official Motorhome website
- Karmann-Coachbuilts.com Karmann Volkswagen Coachbuilts website and forum
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