HOME > History of RECARO

In 1906, the 32-year old saddler master Wilhelm Reutter founded the company "Reutter, Wilhelm, Saddler" in Stuttgart, Germany. This is the beginning of the long and lasting history of RECARO. Reutter came out with a succession of innovative ideas based on its innovative spirit and rich creativity. After changing its trade name to Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co in 1910, the company has obtained the patent on an automobile body which became the prototype of the today's cabriolet and has developed and entered commercial production of Volkswagen Beetle, Porsche 356, etc. as an automobile body manufacturer. Based in Stuttgart, the company has quickly gained a reputation in the worldwide automobile industry.

1906	Wilhelm Reutter founded his coach company for automobiles on the Schlossstrasse in Stuttgart on October 1, 1906. Manufactured the upscale car in the motif of an English-style harness.
1910	Changed the trade name to Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co.
1912	Obtained the patent on the "Reutter's Reform Coach (later called 'Cabriolet')".
1921	Started commercial production for famous automobile manufacturers such as Adler, Austro-Daimler, BMW, Bugatti, Buick, Fiat, Horch, Mauser, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Minerva, NSU, Opel, and Steiger.
1935	Received an order from Porsche for the prototype vehicle of Volkswagen Beetle. Three years later, 40 Volkswagen Beetles were completed as the first mass-produced products.
1944	Received an order from Porsche for a complete set of 500 vehicle bodies of its new model sports car 356.
1949	Developed the BMW 501.
1961	Developed the Porsche 901 (911).

1963	Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co with 1,000 employees was sold out to Porsche AG. The new company was founded and was named "RECARO", which combines the first two letters of "Reutter" and the first four letters of "Carosserien". Manufactured car seats and reclining seat frames for Porsche.
1965	Developed the world's first sports seat equipped with side supports.
1968	Released the first sports seat manufactured under the name of RECARO. The brand name of RECARO quickly became well known in the world of motor sports.
1976	Launched the RECARO's first motor sports seat.
1977	Developed a seat which adopted the electrically adjustable backrest.
1979	Launched an orthopedic seat aimed at prevention of low back pain as a result of joint development with orthopedic specialists and medically related professionals.
1984	Developed a new type seat frame aimed at safety on collision.
1988	Developed the RECARO's first child safety seat.
2006	Celebrated the 100th anniversary of its foundation as "Reutter, Wilhelm, Saddler".