Automaker Karmann to slash one-fourth of workforce.

Associated Press

BERLIN - Germany's Karmann, which assembles convertibles for major auto manufacturers and makes convertible rooftops, will cut 1,800 jobs, or about a quarter of its work force, because of a decline in orders.

The cuts announced Monday will come at factories in Rheine and the company headquarters in Osnabrueck.

Karmann customers include Chrysler LLC, DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen AG's Audi, Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co.

Part of the drop in orders comes with Audi's decision to begin assembling the A4 convertible itself, while the company is also losing a Chrysler Crossfire contract in 2008 and for the Mercedes CLK in 2009.

 

Interesting...I suppose this sheds a little more light on if there will be any more production of Crossfires!

 

Yup, that looks like it will "seal the deal" for the end of production.

SF

 

Automaker Karmann to slash one-fourth of workforce

BERLIN - Germany's Karmann, which assembles convertibles for major auto manufacturers and makes convertible rooftops, will cut 1,800 jobs, or about a quarter of its work force, because of a decline in orders.
The cuts announced Monday will come at factories in Rheine and the company headquarters in Osnabrueck.
Karmann customers include Chrysler LLC, DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen AG's Audi, Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co.
Part of the drop in orders comes with Audi's decision to begin assembling the A4 convertible itself, while the company is also losing a Chrysler Crossfire contract in 2008 and for the Mercedes CLK in 2009.
Karmann employs 7,000 people at six locations worldwide.

It is a shame but, life and my Xfire go on!

XFH

 

Here's some more info:

End of Crossfire hurts Karmann workforce

The 2008 Chrysler Crossfire is going to be a much rarer car - production of the low-volume sports car will end by next March, according to the people who build it.
Karmann, which assembles the Crossfire for Chrysler in Germany, is eliminating 1,770 jobs, or a quarter of its workforce, in part due to the end of the Crossfire.
Karmann says it will stop building the Crossfire in the first quarter of next year.

and the rest of the story:

http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/ne...e-bf0a427ed5f1

 

I hate to hear of anyone losing their job.
This is really a shame. Karmann builds a fine automobile (and convertible top).
Sometimes I think our cars should have been called the Karmann Crossfire.

 

I don't know if I would buy a 2008. They may be rare but with the moral issue of possibly closing down, quality an parts might be a big issue. I think the best built were 2005 and 2006.

 

ZERACER, you may have a point, but being laid off in the auto industry is nothing new to most auto workers.
Sabotage, and sloppy workmanship, would do nothing to help workers get their jobs back if their employer got a reputation for shoddy build quality.
Most workers are aware of that fact, and know it will just be a matter of time before another customer comes along and puts in an order for Karmanns special talents, thus creating a need for them to recall their workforce.

 

No big news there. The original contract was only five production years and 100,000 units...