Gumpert declares itself provisionally insolvent

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

Once asked by Adam Carolla what this blogger's two favorite cars were, I replied the Lamborghini Murcielago and the Gumpert Apollo. Proving that this August is the cruelest month as far as niche German carmakers are concerned, the latter company, Gumpert, just filed paperwork to begin provisional insolvency proceedings in Altenburg, Germany. This month has seen fellow Teutons Artega and Melkus file for bankruptcy.

The ten-year-old company had apparently been trying to break into the Chinese market and the move didn't pan out. It's not over for Gumpert - an administrator has been appointed, and we're told he sees the chance of recovery as extremely positive, so now the makers of the Apollo will return their attentions to the European market while they seek new investors. There's a press release below with more details.

Continue reading Gumpert declares itself provisionally insolvent

Gumpert declares itself provisionally insolvent originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Karmann Go: Legendary coachbuilder shuts down as last car comes off the line

Chris Paukert — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Specialty

Karmann throughout the years - Click above for high-res image gallery

Troubled coachbuilder and specialty car manufacturer Karmann has gone dark. The firm's final vehicle - a Mercedes-Benz CLK came off the lines on Monday as the legendary company has been shuttered because of insolvency.

Perhaps best known for its Volkswagen-based Karmann Ghia coupe and convertible (shown above), Karmann has actually produced in excess of 3.3 million automobiles for various automakers - mostly convertibles. In recent times, it's been responsible for assembling cars like the Spyker C8, Audi A4 Cabriolet, Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, and the Pontiac G6 Convertible.

According to German's The Local, Karmann actually "went bust last week," though it still hopes to change its focus to parts production if officials are able to successfully reorganize the firm and stay in business. Unfortunately, finger-pointing between the Osnabrück company's management and its unions is preventing any sort of restructuring, let alone a quick turnaround.

The company's 2,240 workers have all apparently been given notice, and their benefits plans will likely be eliminated. Check out more details at the link below and peruse a high-res gallery of Karmann's vehicles (including some of its concept cars) by clicking on the thumbnails below. Thanks for the tip, Gregg.

Gallery: Karmann throughout the years

[Sources: The Local; StraitsTimes]

Karmann Go: Legendary coachbuilder shuts down as last car comes off the line originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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