Struggling German car manufacturing company Karmann is negotiating a major contract with Korean carmaker Kia, company insiders told Automobilwoche, Automotive News Europe’s sister publication.
The Osnabrück-based company, which does everything from design to the assembly of components, has had several deals with the Korean firm in recent years. Between 1995 and 1998, Karmann manufactured around 26,000 units of the Kia Sportage.
The company also developed the softtop for the Ex Cee’d convertible, which Kia introduced at the auto show in Geneva earlier this year.
A Kia spokesperson said that a decision to build the new model has yet to be reached. If Kia decides to produce the convertible, then the soft roof — as well as the entire car — might be manufactured externally, with Karmann being one of the contenders.
“We don’t want to endanger the negotiations by commenting on speculation,” said a Karmann spokesperson. The Karmann works council said the contract being discussed would involve the manufacture of an entire car, a contract that could secure jobs for many years. [Source: Autonews]
December 10th, 2007 at 11:28 am
hope they start making ex ceed quickly……………………..
December 10th, 2007 at 11:56 am
I hope that too. After the decision is made, it could come very quickly to production as it already looks to be almost production ready vehicle.
December 10th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Please please please please please sign the deal quickly and make this baby real quick!!! Its gonna be Kia’s halo car along with the Kee production car!!!
December 10th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I agree, please proceed with everything pro’ceed-able, Kia! The convertible will be a beautiful halo car for Kia buyers everywhere.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
well off topic here, but close to, After a sales meeting today the 4 door version of the cee’d and most likely the cee’d and procee’d will hit US shores due to overwhelming great sales over sea’s. It is scheduled to replace the Spectra, though no offical name has been placed on it, hopefully they will call it the cee’d here too. I like it.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
That’s great news Colby! When would those new cars hit the market, any debut dates already?
December 11th, 2007 at 6:28 am
Dealers get all of the info! Ex_cee’d is cool.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
This so far is kinda hear say, but the td is the next spectra that will ne inveiled this year and it is supposed to be based off of the cee’d platform for the US market, after that we will get our new spectra 5 which should be close to the european cee’d. Pro cee’d should come shortly after that
December 12th, 2007 at 7:37 am
Wow! This is the news I was kind of expecting yet was not really sure what Kia was gonna do. I know that I have been an active proponent on here encouraging Kia to bring the cee’d and pro’ceed to America. Excellent news-I think city dwellers and country dwellers alike will love these cars over here.
July 13th, 2008 at 6:37 am
how much and can you pre order
July 13th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
So far it is not confirmed for production. The earliest we might see something like that from Kia would be 2010-2011.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I WANT THE KIA EX_CEE’d SOOO BAD, I WOULD BE WILLING TO DRIVE AROUND WITH ADVERTISEMENTS POSTED ALL OVER IT…… BUT, IT IS WAY TO COOL FOR THAT… I FIRST SAW THE CAR IN RED AND OMG IS THAT BEAUTIFUL…. KIDS ARE RAISED AND MAMA NEEDS A NEW RIDE… OUT GOES THE MINI VAN AND IN COMES THE EX_CEE’D, A TOUCH OF CLASS….