February 24, 2006

20 years of convertible production

Every third of the one million cars is an open car

The first open car, a Saab 900 Convertible, was built in Uusikaupunki in 1986. Valmet Automotive played a key role in the product development of this car. The success of the car exceeded all expectations and nearly 50,000 cars were made in sole production at the Uusikaupunki plant. Valmet Automotive also manufactured the Saab Convertibles of the second generation. Between 1986 and 2003 altogether 198,000 Saab Convertibles were made in Finland.

The product development and production of the Saab Convertible created the basis for the convertible expertise of Valmet Automotive. The production of Porsche Boxster, started in 1997, has further deepened our know-how as a manufacturer of open cars. To date close to 130,000 Porsche Boxster sports cars have been built in our plant.

Today, Valmet Automotive is one of the most experienced manufacturers of open cars in Europe. Every third of the one million cars manufactured so far is an open car. The one-millionth car made by Valmet Automotive in summer 2005 was naturally an open car, a Porsche Boxster S.