Although German independent vehicle manufacturer Karmann closed its doors late last month as the company heads towards bankruptcy, latest reports say the move may not be final. Karmann has reportedly signed a $14 million deal with Volkswagen to assist with the development and supply of the VW’s future electric vehicles.

This info was first reported by Germany’s Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung, which claims that Karmann will use the funds to organize a restructured company with 1,600 employees. Neither Karmann nor VW has yet to confirm the reports, but there is a strong chance the two companies could join forces

Tags: Electric, German, independent, Karmann, vehicle manufacturer, volkswagen, VW

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Rebuilding and restoring old and classic cars is a hobby for most and apparently Karmann USA is ready to aid the people who are into it. Karmann USA is launching a new aftermarket group to rebuild and restore convertible tops for vintage cars in the United States.

Headquartered in Plymouth Township, Karmann Classics will offer a variety of services including: standard roof repair for vehicles in daily service; original or “authentic” restoration for show models, and a wide range of other customization options to suit specific customer needs.

“Karmann’s new aftermarket division initially will focus on restoring VW Karmann Ghias and VW Beetle convertibles,” said Erik Roeren, president and CEO of Karmann USA. “As the original manufacturer of the VW Karmann Ghia and VW Beetle convertible, Karmann is uniquely positioned to rebuild convertible roof systems for these vehicles.”

Karmann Classics initially aims to serve customers in a four-state region of the Midwest, including Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, as well as convertible owners in Ontario, Canada. During its launch phase, Karmann Classics will have the capacity to work on three to four vehicles at a time.

The company plans to expand nationwide and eventually will provide restoration services for all convertibles, in addition to Karmann Ghias and Beetle convertibles. Karmann Classics is partnering with local VW dealerships, which also will handle vehicle restoration.

(Source) Press

Tags: Beetle, Canada, convertible, Erik Roeren, hobby, Illinois, Indiana, Karmann, Michigan, Ohio, Ontario, Plymouth, repair, restoration, united states, USA

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There must be at least a few Porsche 914 fans out there. They might be lucky enough to have a new version of that sportscar created for them.

The original Porsche 914 was based on Volkswagen mechanicals with Karmann being another name involved in the project. Sources say the new 914 might adopt the 2.7 liter flat six engine from Boxter or we might even see a four-cylinder engine get spawned. After all the most popular 914 was the four-cylinder version. We’re not going to see the 914 in the near future, but two years from now? Anything can happen!

Tags: 914, Karmann, Porsche, Sports Car, VW

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