Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabrück, Germany is the largest independent motor vehicle 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 and DuraCar.
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Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabrück, Germany is the largest independent motor vehicle 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 and DuraCar.
Notable programs
Some of the most well-known cars produced by Karmann in the 20th century are the VW Beetle Cabriolet (1949-1980), and, most closely associated with the Karmann name, the Karmann Ghia. Between 1955 and 1974, 443,482 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 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). 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. Karmann built the cars in Rheine with V8 engines and they were named "Javelin 79-K".
Karmann is best known today for its work on 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 Cabrio. Both the headquarters in Osnabrück and the additional facility in Rheine also construct complete vehicles, such as the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet, the Audi A4 Cabrio, 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 Cabrio, and Pontiac G6, respectively.
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. Exceptions as indicated
Current car production at Karmann Germany
- Audi A4 Convertible
- Mercedes CLK Convertible
Current production of car modules
Karmann currently is producing car modules for the following vehicles:
- Roofmodules
- Audi A4 convertible, 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
- VW New Beetle convertible
- Pontiac G6 retractable hardtop, 2007
- Chrysler Sebring (convertible) retractable hardtop & convertible softtop, 2007
- Ford Mustang (convertible), 2007
