Karmann could be in line to win a major new vehicle assembly contract. Unions are hopeful that this could help avoid further job losses at the company.
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According to press reports, union representatives put up a poster outside the plant saying that Karmann could possibly win an order to assemble a complete vehicle. A decision is probably due in the next few weeks.
The contract could secure jobs at the company’s Osnabrück for more than five years, reported Automobilwoche. However a first wave of planned redundancies (1,770 job cuts) would still be necessary. This could still be all 1,770 jobs. Karmann said last month that further job cuts beyond this would be necessary if no new contracts were won in the short-term.
The works council said that chances of winning the contract are quite ‘realistic’. It has postponed a works meeting on Thursday, however, in order not to put any pressure on contract negotiations.
According to Automobilwoche, talks to assemble a Kia cabriolet have not been successful. Kia and Karmann announced plans to assemble the car together at the IAA in September. Karmann has also reportedly been in talks with Volkswagen to assemble a small cabriolet based on the Polo.
