VW Golf Cabriolet production gets underway at ex-Karmann facility

Filed under: Convertible, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen, Diesel

2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has officially kicked off production of the company’s Golf Cabriolet. The droptop compact is currently rolling off the line at the automaker’s newest facility – a former Karmann plant in Osnabrück, Germany. As you may recall, the topless Golf will be available with a veritable cornucopia of engines worldwide, including direct-injection gasoline and diesel options. Volkswagen also plans to offer a dual-clutch gearbox in some applications, and at least a few models will show up with BlueMotion badges on their bodywork. There’s still no indication as to whether or not the vehicle will be available here in the States, or what all of this means for the recently refreshed Eos folding hardtop convertible, a car eerily close in size, appearance and mission.

Volkswagen has said that it will use the newly acquired Karmann plant to handle a variety of manufacturing tasks, including overflow production of Porsche Boxster and Cayman models. Right now, the facility employs around 1,250 individuals tied to the Golf Cabriolet project, but VW says that figure may swell to 1,800 in coming months. Check out the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet