Volkswagen are bidding to buy Karmann ahead of possible liquidation. But Karmann want more than VW are offering.Just like all the other specialist coachbuilders out there – Zagato, Pininfarina, etc – life has not been a bed of roses for a long time for Karmann. Once a great way for wealthy owners to ‘Customise’ their cars, the specialist coachbuilders have relied more and more on relationships with big car makers to survive. None more so than Karmann, whose hopes for survival rested on VW divvying up an order for electric cars.
But it seems that even a big order from VW won’t be enough to keep Karmann in business, according to their administrators. So now VW has decided to bite the bullet and picth in with an offer for Karmann – lock, stock and barrel. But it seems that they’re not offering enough – at least as far as the families behind Karmann are concerned.
It appears that VW are offering somewhere in the low 5 figures (€10 million +). The owners want €65 million. Big gap. But it would seem as if VW are likely to get their way. The administrators say if they don’t agree a sale then Karmann will be put in to liquidation. In which case there’s every possibility VW will end up getting Karmann for even less than they’re offering.
The VW / Auto Union world domination plan continues.