Karmann
November 25th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
Volkswagen AG has announced it will be establishing a new manufacturing unit located in VW’s home state of Lower Saxony, Germany. To make it happen VW have purchased the land, equipment, and machinery formerly owned by Karmann – the once iconic coachbuilder and convertible roof specialists who manufactured the classic Beetle-based Karmann Ghia coupe. Karmann has been in financial difficulty for a while, filing for bankruptcy protection back in April, and struggling since.
Production of a new vehicle at the plant is scheduled to begin in 2011. In the meantime, 200 new employees will be required to open the plant next year, and VW is estimating more than 1,000 new jobs will be created by 2014. Volkswagen AG has not disclosed which model will be built at the plant but early speculation is that a new Golf cabriolet may be in the works.
July 10th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
The Volkswagen Collection of the late Francis Baptist that is to being auctioned at Turners Auctions this Sunday 12 July is generating significant interest from VW fans around the world.
Baptist was a renowned restorer of classic vehicles and Turners spokesperson Todd Hunter describes the auction as the most comprehensive collection of VWs from one owner ever seen by Turners.
“We have collectors flying in from Adelaide, Argentina, Spain and Hungary to view the lots privately. They will then return home and bid remotely using the Turners Live online auction. Interest from the US is also strong and these bidders, paying in New Zealand dollars, will likely drive prices up,” says Todd.
The momentum is gathering for the auction and some of its rare lots means it is likely local collectors will have to pay international prices for these rare vehicles.
For the team at Turners three vehicles are particularly unique. The first is a 1952 Volkswagen Beetle that comes with the number plate 1952VW. Baptist imported it in 2002 and restored it superbly. The left hand drive, ex-Belgium oval window model has a factory sunroof and matching numbers. In New Zealand this car is valued at $20,000 – $25,000 but on the international stage, could be worth much more.
A second Volkswagen Beetle, this time a 1955 Deluxe model is New Zealand new with oval windows. It spent its first forty years in Christchurch and has original engine, handbook and tool kits. The interior is impeccable and with some minor engine work this car will be road worthy.
Finally a Porsche 356 Super 90 Cabriolet 1960, ex-New York, is attracting significant attention. The vehicle requires a major restoration but the left-hand drive vehicle is extremely rare and expected to sell for at least $25,000.
There are a range of other Volkswagen Beetles, a Kombi Bus and two additional Porsches.
The auction features a rare collection of bikes including a super-rare 1950s Solex peddle bike with engine which is highly sought-after. The 1950 Matchless G80 is already attracting phone bids from the United Kingdom.
The auction will take place this Sunday 12 July at 11am for vehicles. It will be followed by an extensive auction of parts, some exceptionally rare, at 1pm.
To find out more, click here to go the Turners Auctions website.
July 10th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
German vehicle manufacturer Karmann shut its doors for the last time late last month as the company headed into bankruptcy (read news item) but their may be hope yet according to new reports. Karmann has reportedly worked out a $14 million deal with Volkswagen to assist in the development and supply of the automaker’s future electric vehicles.
The information was first reported by a German newspaper, which claimed that Karmann will use the funds from the deal to form a restructured company with 1,600 employees.
Neither Karmann nor VW has commented on the reports yet but given Karmann’s and VW’s recent interest in electric vehicles, there’s a strong chance the two companies will join forces.
Before becoming insolvent, Karmann showed off an electric vehicle concept called the E3, and before that it had a contract to manufacture the DuraCar electric van for a company in Europe.
June 24th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
Troubled coachbuilder and specialty car manufacturer Karmann may have closed its doors for the final time. The firm’s last vehicle — a Mercedes-Benz CLK came off the lines on Monday as the once famous company has been shuttered because of insolvency.
Best known for its Volkswagen-based Karmann Ghia coupe and convertible, Karmann has actually produced over 3.3 million automobiles for various automakers — mostly convertibles. In recent years, it’s been responsible for assembling cars including the Spyker C8, Audi A4 Cabriolet, Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, and the Pontiac G6 Convertible.
According to a German newspaper Karmann actually went bust just last week, though there is a chance it could shift to parts production if officials are able to successfully reorganise the firm and stay afloat. Unfortunately, disputes between the company’s management and its workers union is preventing any sort of real restructuring at the moment.
The company’s 2,240 workers have all apparently been given notice, and their benefits plans look in serious doubt.
April 14th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
The economy has caught up with Karmann, the independent German coach builder whose name was most famously applied to Volkswagen’s 1950s roadster, forcing it to file for insolvency. Most recently the company’s 3,470 workers were assembling Audi A4 and Mercedes CLK convertibles.
Over its 108-year history the brand has done work for many marques including building Porsche bodies, the Chrysler Crossfire, the roof system for the Pontiac G6 and Nissan Micra, and at one point the European version of the AMC Javelin. Declining car sales, however, have kept Karmann from being able to fulfill its financial obligations and forced it to pack it all in.
