Scary news, hope everything turns up ok. Will try to check my contacts for more information and will be updating if I will hear something new.

 

A while ago I talked to him about a 997 Gemballa Steering wheel Groupbuy and he was very friendly and professional...
Hope things this will have a happy end

 

Uwe Gemballa is indeed missing. He left Dubai for Johannesburg a week ago and has had no contact (that we know) with anyone since. Uwe is my friend and I am very concerned for his safety.

I have made dozens of calls to everyone i know that might have info, to no avail. There also seems to be some kind of blackout on the news regarding this story. The authorities in Joburg aren't saying anything except that they are aware he is missing.

 

Let's hope nothing bad happened. He probably has service with T-Mobile or AT&T and isn't getting good signal. Or it could be the Droid is not working.

 

From Autoblog.com
Report: Euro tuner king Uwe Gemballa missing in South Africa



"Porschephiles and automotive enthusiasts the world over recognize the name Gemballa. The German tuning house has been responsible for some of the most extreme creations on four wheels and has been a well-respected brand for decades. Now reports indicate that Uwe Gemballa, founder and head of the namesake aftermarket tuner, has gone missing.

According to the reports, the 51-year-old Gemballa was on a trip to South Africa when he went missing. The suspected site of his disappearance is Johannesburg, long known as one of the most dangerous cities in the world due to the rampant violent crime rate in its downtown core. Investigators in Germany are reportedly in contact with law enforcement authorities in South Africa in an effort to recover Uwe, and for our part, we hope his safe return comes as quickly as his record-breaking supercars."

 

I spoke with DJ on this last night and shared with him what we know. And it seems things have moved on with reports that Gemballa's facility in Germany has been closed by Government authorities.

Not a promo for Cars UK, but you guys may find it a useful bit of information:

Gemballa closed by German authorities? | Cars UK | UK Car News

 

Terrible news. I hope he returns safely.

 

Hope to hear good news soon!!!

 

Really hope he turns up, this was one of the first tuning companies I became aware of and followed... More than the company though, I've heard nothing but good things about his character, so my prayers are with him, his family, and the family of friends that he's developed.

 

WTF? Is this real? how does a guy like this (business owner, surely has a blackberry, tons of friends, etc) end up missing? Something doesnt feel right.