Karmann

	Email		Print
	Bookmark		Link

Karmann

Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabrück

Osnabrück

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands....
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

Chrysler

Chrysler LLC is an American automobile manufacturer that has manufactured automobiles since 1925. From 1998 to 2007, Chrysler and its subsidiaries were part of the German based DaimlerChrysler ....
, Porsche

Porsche

Porsche SE or Porsche is a Germany automotive industry of luxury vehicle automobiles, which is majority-owned by the Porsche family and Pi?ch families....
, Volkswagen

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Passenger Cars, also known as VW, is an automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Germany and is the original as well as the largest brand by sales volume within the Volkswagen Group....
and DuraCar.

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.

Discussion

Ask a question about 'Karmann'

Start a new discussion about 'Karmann'

Answer questions from other users

Full Discussion Forum

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

Sports car

A sports car is a term used to describe a class of automobile. The exact definition varies, but generally it is used to refer to a low to ground, light weight vehicle with a powerful engine....
-style body on the chassis of the Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Type 1 is an economy car produced by the Germany auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003. The car was originally known as K?fer, the German language word for "beetle," from which the popular English nickname originates....
. Later in the 20th century, they assembled the Scirocco

Volkswagen Scirocco

The Volkswagen Scirocco is a sports coupe produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen from 1974 until 1992. Seeking to draw upon the Scirocco's successful reputation Volkswagen released a third generation of the name plate in August 2008....
, Corrado

Volkswagen Corrado

The Volkswagen Corrado is a hatchback coup? developed by German automaker Volkswagen and built by Karmann in Osnabr?ck, Germany between 1988 and 1995....
, and Cabriolet for Volkswagen. Karmann also built the Ford Sierra

Ford Sierra

The Ford Sierra is a large family car built by Ford Europe from 1982 until 1993. It was designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Qu?ment....
for the American market, sold under the Merkur

Merkur

Merkur, the German word for Mercury , was an automobile brand which was briefly marketed by Ford Motor Company in the United States and Canada from 1985 to 1989....
brand by Lincoln/Mercury

Mercury (automobile)

Mercury is an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company founded in 1939 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level-luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln -branded luxury vehicles, similar to General Motors Corporation' Buick brand and Chrysler's Chrysler brand....
dealers. Many Karmann produced vehicles carry a small wagon wheel emblem, the coat of arms of Osnabrück

Osnabrück

Osnabr?ck is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, some 80 km NNE of Dortmund, 45 km NE of M?nster, and some 100 km due west of Hannover. It lies in a valley penned between the Wiehengebirge and the northern tip of the Teutoburg Forest....
, where the company was founded.

Karmann assembled complete knock down (CKD) kits in an agreement with American Motors

American Motors

American Motors Corporation was an United States automobile company formed on January 14, 1954 by the merger of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and the Hudson Motor Car Company....
(AMC). In 1968, AMC introduced the Javelin

AMC Javelin

The AMC Javelin was a ?pony car? built by the American Motors Corporation between 1968 and 1974. It was intended to rival other similar cars of the era such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro....
, a new competitor in the U.S. "pony car

Pony car

The pony car is a class of automobile launched and inspired by the Ford Ford Mustang in 1964. It describes an affordable, compact, highly styled car with a sporty or performance-oriented image....
" segment. AMC did not have a manufacturing subsidiary

Subsidiary

A subsidiary, in business matters, is an entity that is controlled by a bigger and more powerful entity. The controlled entity is called a company , corporation, or limited liability company, and the controlling entity is called its parent ....
in Europe

Europe

Europe is, conventionally, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural , the Caspian Sea, and by the Caucasus Mountains to the southeast....
, therefore, Karmann assembled the American designed car for distribution in Europe. Karmann built the cars in Rheine with V8

AMC V8 engine

American Motors Corporation produced a series of widely-used V8 engines from the mid-1950s before being absorbed into Chrysler Corporation. Some continued well after the 1991 merger with Jeep....
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

Renault Mégane

The Renault M?gane is a small family car produced by the France automaker Renault since 1995. It is offered in 3- and 5-door hatchback, Saloon , coup?, convertible and station wagon bodystyles....
CC and the Volkswagen New Beetle

Volkswagen New Beetle

Volkswagen New Beetle is a Compact car introduced by Volkswagen in 1998, drawing heavy inspiration from the design of the original Volkswagen Beetle....
Cabrio. Both the headquarters in Osnabrück and the additional facility in Rheine

Rheine

Rheine is a city in the district of Steinfurt in Westphalia, Germany. It is the largest city in the district....
also construct complete vehicles, such as the Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

The 'Volkswagen Golf' is a compact car / small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates -- prominently as the 'Volkswagen Rabbit' in the United States and Canada , and as the 'Volkswagen Caribe' in Mexico ....
Cabriolet, the Audi A4

Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a compact executive car produced by the Germany automaker Audi since 1994. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80.It is available as a sedan or a station wagon ....
Cabrio, the Mercedes-Benz CLK, and the Chrysler Crossfire

Chrysler Crossfire

The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive, sports car marketed by Chrysler as both coup? and convertible and built for Chrysler by Karmann of Germany....
. A small number of vehicles are also produced in Brazil São Bernardo do Campo

São Bernardo do Campo

S?o Bernardo do Campo is a municipality located in the Greater S?o Paulo, in the state of S?o Paulo in Brazil....
. The Osnabrück facility also produces the chassis and body panels of the Spyker

Spyker

Spyker was a Netherlands car manufacturer, started in 1880 by coachbuilders Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker, but to be able to market the brand better in foreign countries, in 1903 the 'IJ ' was changed into 'y'....
C8 Spyder

SPYDER

The SPYDER is an anti-aircraft missile system developed by RAFAEL and uses surface-to-air versions of the Python 5 and Rafael Python 5#Derby missiles, also made by RAFAEL....
.

Other facilities at Sunderland

Sunderland

Sunderland is a city in Tyne and Wear, England. It was formerly a county borough but now forms part of the City of Sunderland. It is situated at the mouth of the River Wear....
UK, Puebla

Puebla

Puebla is a Political divisions of Mexico located in the center east of the country, to the east of Mexico City.The state of Puebla borders the states of Veracruz to the east, Hidalgo , Mexico State, Tlaxcala, and Morelos to the west, and Guerrero and Oaxaca to the south....
Mexico, and Plymouth Township

Plymouth Township, Michigan

Plymouth Township is a charter township of Wayne County, Michigan in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 27,798 at the United States Census, 2000....
U.S. are manufacturing roof systems for the Nissan Micra C+C, Volkswagen New Beetle

Volkswagen New Beetle

Volkswagen New Beetle is a Compact car introduced by Volkswagen in 1998, drawing heavy inspiration from the design of the original Volkswagen Beetle....
Cabrio, and Pontiac G6

Pontiac G6

The Pontiac G6 is a mid-size car produced under the Pontiac brand of United States automaker General Motors. It was introduced in the fall of 2004 to replace the Pontiac Grand Am....
, respectively.

A large part of the development of the Chrysler Crossfire

Chrysler Crossfire

The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive, sports car marketed by Chrysler as both coup? and convertible and built for Chrysler by Karmann of Germany....
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)

Chrysler Sebring (convertible)

The Chrysler Sebring convertible is a mid-size convertible manufactured by Chrysler, as a replacement for the Chrysler LeBaron and now in its third generation — currently available as both a retractable hardtop and softop....
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

AMC Javelin AMC Javelin The AMC Javelin was a ?pony car? built by the American Motors Corporation between 1968 and 1974. It was intended to rival other similar cars of the era such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.... Coupé Coupé A coup? or coupe is a closed car body style, the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time. Coup?s are often hardtopped sports cars or sporty variants of sedan body styles, with doors commonly reduced from 4 to 2, and a Close-coupled sedan interior offering either two seats or 2+2 seating ....	1968	300 Units
Audi 80 Audi 80 The Audi 80 is a compact executive car produced by the Germany automotive industry Audi, from 1966 to 1996. It initially shared its platform with the Volkswagen Passat, and was available as a sedan and an Avant .... Convertible Convertible A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle. Many different car body styles are manufactured and marketed in convertible form....	1997 - 2000	12.112 Units
Audi A4 Audi A4 The Audi A4 is a compact executive car produced by the Germany automaker Audi since 1994. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80.It is available as a sedan or a station wagon .... Convertible	2002 - today	81.959 Units (Base: End 2004)
BMW BMW , is an independent German automotive industry founded in 1916. It also produces BMW Motorrad, is the owner of the MINI brand and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.... 2000 C/CS	1965 - 1970	13.696 only Body in White
BMW 3,0 CS BMW E9 The BMW New Six CS is the two-door sport coup? in BMW's BMW New Six line, produced from 1968 to 1975 alongside the four-door BMW E3 sedan.It featured BMW M30 straight-6 engines of 2.5, 2.8 and 3.0 litres in road cars, with larger units used in racing....	1971 - 1975	21.147 Units
BMW 635 CSI BMW E24 The BMW E24 automobile platform was the basis for the first production of BMW 6 Series coup?, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years....	1976 - 1989	86.314 Units
Chrysler Crossfire Chrysler Crossfire The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive, sports car marketed by Chrysler as both coup? and convertible and built for Chrysler by Karmann of Germany.... Coupé Coupé A coup? or coupe is a closed car body style, the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time. Coup?s are often hardtopped sports cars or sporty variants of sedan body styles, with doors commonly reduced from 4 to 2, and a Close-coupled sedan interior offering either two seats or 2+2 seating ....	2003 - today	37.896 Units
Chrysler Crossfire Convertible	2003 - today	16.269 Units
Ford Escort RS Cosworth Ford Escort RS Cosworth The Escort RS Cosworth was a sports derivative of the Ford Escort . It was available from 1992-96 and in very limited numbers.It was instantly recognisable due to its large whale tail rear spoiler....	1992 - 1996	8.082 Units
Ford Escort FEC Convertible	1983 - 1990	104.237 Units
Ford Escort Convertible	1990 - 1997	80.620 Units
Ford Merkur Merkur Merkur, the German word for Mercury , was an automobile brand which was briefly marketed by Ford Motor Company in the United States and Canada from 1985 to 1989.... XR4Ti, U.S. version of the Ford Sierra XR4i Ford Sierra The Ford Sierra is a large family car built by Ford Europe from 1982 until 1993. It was designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Qu?ment....
Karmann Ghia Convertible	1957 - 1974	80.881 Units
Karmann Ghia Coupé	1955 - 1974	362.601 Units
Karmann Ghia Type34	1961 - 1969	42.505 Unit
Land Rover Defender	2002 - 2005	2.777 Units (in Brazil Brazil Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is a country in South America. It is the List of countries and outlying territories by total area country by geographical area, occupying nearly half of South America, the List of countries by population country, and the fourth most populous democracy in the world.... )
Mercedes CLK Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class was a mid-size rear-wheel drive coup?/convertible. While it was based on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, its styling cues, engine, and price range are closer to that of the Mercedes E-Class, leading some to believe that the CLK is a coup? version of the E-class.... A208 Mercedes-Benz W208 Sorry, no overview for this topic Convertible	1998 - 2003	115.264 Units
Mercedes CLK C208 Mercedes-Benz W208 Sorry, no overview for this topic Coupé	2000 - 2002	28.706 Units
Mercedes CLK A209 Mercedes-Benz W209 The Mercedes-Benz W209 cars have been produced since 2002. They are sold under the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class model names. The W209 is based on the Mercedes-Benz W203 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.... Convertible	2003 - today
Nissan Micra C+C	2006 - today
Porsche 912 Porsche 912 File:PolitieTarga.JPGThe Porsche 912 was a sports car manufactured by Porsche of Germany between 1965 and 1969 as their entry-level model. The 912 was a nimble-handling compact performance four-seat vehicle, delivering 90 Horsepower at 5800 Revolutions Per Minute....
Porsche 914 Porsche 914 The Porsche 914 was a Mid-engine design sports car built and sold collaboratively by Volkswagen and Porsche from 1969 through 1976....	1969 - 1976	118.949 Units
Porsche 968 Porsche 968 The 968 is a sports car sold by Porsche Aktiengesellschaft from 1992 to 1995, it took over the entry-level position in Porsche's lineup from the Porsche 944, with which it shared about 20% of its parts....	1991 - 1994	11.803 only Body in White
Renault 19 Renault 19 The Renault 19 is a small family car produced by France automaker Renault between 1988 and 2000.... Convertible	1990 - 1996	29.222 Body in White and soft tops
Renault Mégane Renault Mégane The Renault M?gane is a small family car produced by the France automaker Renault since 1995. It is offered in 3- and 5-door hatchback, Saloon , coup?, convertible and station wagon bodystyles.... I Convertible	1996 - 2003	74.096 Body in White and soft tops
Renault Mégane CC	since 2004	only retractable hardtops
Triumph TR6 Triumph TR6 The Triumph TR6 was a United Kingdom Straight-6 sports car and the best-seller of the Triumph TR built by Triumph Motor Company when production ended in July 1976....	1969 - 1976
VW Corrado	1988 - 1995	97.521 Units
VW Golf I Convertible	1979 - 1993	388.522 Units
VW Golf III Convertible	1993 - 1997	129.475 Units
VW Golf IV Convertible (Base Golf III)	1997 - 2001	82.588 Units
VW Golf III Variant Variant *Variant* is a free magazine based in Glasgow, Scotland. It is available in both print and internet editions, and is distributed mainly though arts and cultural institutions through United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland....	1997 - 1999	80.928 Units
VW Beetle Convertible	1949 - 1980	331.847 Units
VW Scirocco I	1974 - 1981	504.153 Units
VW Scirocco II	1981 - 1992	291.497 Units

Karmann Motorhome Production

The first motorhome 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. These early Karmann motorhomes were ahead of it's rivals in terms of build quality and production. Production of the Type 3 vehicles continued through until 1979 and it is understood that there was a production run of 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 to make a grand total of 891 units.

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 operate as an independent enterprise within the Eura Mobil group.

In the year 2003 new superstructures on basis of the fifth transporter generation, the T5’s were introduced.

VW Karmann Gipsy							1980 - 1992	778 Units (including Synchro's)
VW Karmann Cheetah							1980 - 1992	113 Units

Current car production at Karmann Germany

Audi A4
Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a compact executive car produced by the Germany automaker Audi since 1994. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80.It is available as a sedan or a station wagon ....
Convertible
Convertible

A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle. Many different car body styles are manufactured and marketed in convertible form....
Mercedes CLK Convertible
Convertible

A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle. Many different car body styles are manufactured and marketed in convertible form....

Current production of car modules

Karmann currently is producing car modules for the following vehicles:

Roofmodules

Audi A4
Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a compact executive car produced by the Germany automaker Audi since 1994. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80.It is available as a sedan or a station wagon ....
convertible
Convertible

A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle. Many different car body styles are manufactured and marketed in convertible form....
, 2001
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley Continental GT is a two-door 2+2 grand tourer coup? released in 2003, replacing the previous Rolls-Royce Motors-based Bentley Continental R....
C convertible, 2006
BMW
BMW

, is an independent German automotive industry founded in 1916. It also produces BMW Motorrad, is the owner of the MINI brand and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars....
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
Pontiac G6

The Pontiac G6 is a mid-size car produced under the Pontiac brand of United States automaker General Motors. It was introduced in the fall of 2004 to replace the Pontiac Grand Am....
retractable hardtop, 2007
Chrysler Sebring (convertible)
Chrysler Sebring (convertible)

The Chrysler Sebring convertible is a mid-size convertible manufactured by Chrysler, as a replacement for the Chrysler LeBaron and now in its third generation — currently available as both a retractable hardtop and softop....
retractable hardtop & convertible softtop, 2007
Ford Mustang (convertible), 2007

Chassis
Chassis

A chassis consists of a Frame that supports an inanimate object, analogous to an animal's skeleton, for example in a motor vehicle or a firearm....

Mercedes-Benz SLK
Spyker
Spyker Cars

Spyker Cars N.V. is a Netherlands hand-built automobile manufacturer, not related to or controlled by the previous Spyker company that went bankrupt in 1929....
C8 Spyder
SPYDER

The SPYDER is an anti-aircraft missile system developed by RAFAEL and uses surface-to-air versions of the Python 5 and Rafael Python 5#Derby missiles, also made by RAFAEL....

Former production of car modules

- Chrysler Crossfire
  Chrysler Crossfire
  
  The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive, sports car marketed by Chrysler as both coup? and convertible and built for Chrysler by Karmann of Germany....
  Coupe
  Coupé
  
  A coup? or coupe is a closed car body style, the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time. Coup?s are often hardtopped sports cars or sporty variants of sedan body styles, with doors commonly reduced from 4 to 2, and a Close-coupled sedan interior offering either two seats or 2+2 seating ....
  2001 - 2007
- Chrysler Crossfire Roadster
  Roadster
  
  A roadster, also known as a spyder or spider, is a two-seater car, traditionally without a roof and no side or rear windows. Modern day two-seaters commonly have windows and feature retractable roofs ....
  2003 - 2007

Karmann

Notable programs

Karmann total car production

Karmann Motorhome Production

Current car production at Karmann Germany

Current production of car modules

Former production of car modules

See also

External links