Monday 28th September 2009

Porsche Wants Out Of Magna Contract

Opel purchase may cost Magna a deal to build Boxster and Cayman - but it could be Karmann's lifeline

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Boxster could move from Magna to Karmann

Porsche is looking to pull out of a contract with Magna to build the next-generation Boxster and Cayman in the wake of the Canadian firm's purchase of Opel from General Motors.

The Boxster and Cayman had been earmarked for production at Magna's Austrian plant in Graz from 2013, but VW's takeover of Porsche and Magna's control over Opel now means plenty of potential for conflicts of interest - and VW understandably wants to keep Porsche production and development costs secret.

Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn has also hinted that a Magna-controlled Opel could force VW to end its partnerships with Magna.

Karmann could also make VW's new roadster

Although the loss of Porsche contracts would be a major blow to Magna's finances, it could mean a lifeline for historic coachbuilder Karmann, which could get the nod to build the new Cayman and Boxster.

Porsche currently builds its entry-level pairing at its own Zuffenhausen facility, but some Boxster production has occasionally been outsourced to Valmet in Finland.

If Karmann does win the Boxster contract, it could literally save the Osnabruck firm, which recently filed for bankruptcy protection. VW also has close historical ties with Karmann too, and it's a strong possibility that the forthcoming VW BlueSport roadster could be built by them, too.

[Staffy1984]

Doubt this will overly affect Magna in the long run, makes sense to sever the ties with a rival, and Karmann did a great job with the old clippers.
Let the VAG drama continue

[Staffy1984]

daimo_45 said:

My god that Roadster thing is GASH! The guy's drab expression really adds to the pic too.

His face does have a 'Is yet this another car based on the Golf' look on it.

+ It'll have a really boring engine in it, that sways too far in the direction of economy, and will probably weigh 2-300kgs more than it should.

When will VW make a golf that is as exciting as the Mark 1s and 2s, well the answer is probably never again.