**Update** German police have classified the Uwe Gemballa case as a missing person’s case and are working with authorities in South Africa to figure out his whereabouts. Both the agencies in Germany and Africa refuse, however, to say this may be a kidnapping case. His wife and family, on the other hand, are offering a 10,000-Euro reward for any information that leads to his recovery.

In related news, Gemballa has asserted that it is still operating as normal after initial reports said the German police had shut down the business. Meanwhile, Uwe Gemballa's wife has filed for insolvency of her husband's company via her power of attorney. **Update**

**Update** It is being reported by Bild.de that Uwe Gemablla was kidnapped and is currently being held for a ransom of one-million Euros. In a telephone call to the Uwe’s wife from his cell phone, Gemballa is said to have begged for help before his captors abruptly cut the call short. Uwe Gemballa flew on the eighth of this month to Johannesburg, South Africa, and it is believed he was kidnapped soon after checking into his hotel. **Update**

It is being reported that German authorities shut down the Gemballa offices this morning. All the cars have been impounded and owners are being contacted to provide proof of ownership. Yesterday some news outlets reported that Uwe Gemballa, the man behind the infamously tuned Porsches and other exotics, was missing. He kept in touch with a number of automotive publications, including the duPont REGISTRY, and dealerships and yet none of them have heard from him in more than a week. His last known whereabouts were in Africa.

[via CarsUK]