The story of success behind today’s Recaro Automotive Seating began in 1906 in Stuttgart, when 32-year-old master saddler Wilhelm Reutter founded a coachbuilding company realize in luxury vehicles, motor cars and English coach harnesses, "Reutter, Wilhelm, Sattler. Spezialität: Luxus- und Motorwagen, englische Geschirre". The company quickly made a name for itself in the up-and-coming automobile industry, which was predominantly based in Stuttgart: Bosch, Maybach and Daimler were the big names making history back then, laying the foundations that made the city centre of automotive excellence that it is today.
The master saddler’s business flourished and in 1910 changed its trading name to "Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co" (Stuttgart Coachworks Reutter & Co.). The young master saddler was innovative and open-minded towards the new form of mobility. In 1912, for example, his workshop produced the patented Reutter’s Reform Coach Body, a forerunner of the modern cabriolet.
Reutter made coach bodies for Daimler-Benz, Horch and many companies, whose names have long since been forgotten. Not forgotten, however, are several other icons of the car-making industry, in whose success Reutter played an integral part.
In 1935, Professor Ferdinand Porsche had the prototypes of the Volkswagen (later called the "Beetle") built at the Reutter workshops and the two companies also worked together closely after the War. From 1949, Reutter produced the bodies for the legendary Porsche 356 – and thus became known around the globe.
The basis for today’s company was formed in 1963, when Porsche ceased having its car bodies made by Reutter and took the operation in house. Reutter then changed its trading name to Recaro, created from a play on the words REutter and CAROsserie (vehicle body). The new company specialised in the manufacture of seats and seat components. The first Recaro sports seat was unveiled in 1965 and in motor racing circles Recaro quickly became an acclaimed brand.
In 1969, a rival company, Keiper, bought Recaro and initially passed on equal one-third shareholdings to two other companies, Hubbert & Wagner and Metzeler. In 1983, Keiper then ultimately took ownership of all Recaro shares. Under the umbrella of Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co. KG, the firm produced innovative Recaro concepts for factory-fitted car seats, for the retrofit market and from 1971 – under the name "Recaro aircomfort" – also for aircraft.
In 1997, as a result of a group restructure, Recaro GmbH & Co. KG again became a stand-alone automotive division. Sister company Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG concentrated on aircraft seats. Another sister company, Keiper GmbH & Co. KG operated globally as an automotive supplier, offering seat structures, metal components and development services relating to all aspects of vehicle seating. In 2010, Recaro home GmbH & Co. KG was set up as a stand-alone company for upholstered furniture (since closed by brand owner the Recaro Group).
In June 2011, US group Johnson Controls took over Keiper GmbH & Co. KG and Recaro Automotive GmbH & Co. KG. Johnson Controls, as licensee of the Recaro brand in the automotive sector, thereby acquired exclusive, unrestricted rights for the global marketing of Recaro seats for cars and commercial vehicles. All other Recaro brand companies now belong to the Recaro Group, Stuttgart, which is the owner of the brand and licensor for Recaro Automotive Seating. On 31st October 2016, Johnson Controls transferred its complete car business into Adient, a new, quoted company, making it the world's largest producer and supplier of car seats. Recaro Automotive Seating has since then been a product group of Adient, which continues to use the brand name under licence.
1906
Master saddler Wilhelm Reutter starts the development and production of car bodies, interior fittings and vehicle seats for automobiles in one-off production and small runs at his “Stuttgarter Carosserie u. Radfabrik” body plant.
1920s / 1930s
The company produces car bodies and interior fittings for all major car manufacturers. Precursors and prototypes of the Volkswagen (later, the Beetle) are also manufactured by Reutter on behalf of the Porsche design studio.
1950
Car bodies, interior fittings and seats for the Porsche 356 go into production at Reutter in Stuttgart, Germany. By 1965, Reutter has built around 60,000 vehicles.
1952 onwards
Development and subsequent production of reclining seat mechanisms for various automobile manufacturers, including Opel, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen.
1963
Sale of the Reutter body plant to Porsche, establishment of Recaro as a seat manufacturer, manufacture of car seats initially only for Porsche.
1965
Launch of the Recaro sports seat: the world's first retrofit seat for automobiles that is characterized by its revolutionary foam upholstery and distinctive side bolsters.
1967
The “Recaro shell seat” is the first road-legal, sporty seat made by Recaro. It sets standards for safety, lightweight construction and comfort with its body-hugging seat shell, adjustment options and foam upholstery.
1969
The previous Recaro sports seat is renamed the “Recaro Idealsitz.” At the same time, Recaro introduces a new trademark, which has remained unchanged to this day.
1971
A world first: Recaro unveils the first vehicle seat with an integrated seat belt – the Recaro safety seat.
1973
Recaro is the first manufacturer to offer the anti-submarining seat upholstery guide, which prevents the occupant from slipping under the belt in the event of an accident. Also making its car seat premiere is Recaro's extendable seat cushion, an added comfort feature for tall drivers.
1974
For the world elite in touring car motorsport, Recaro launches its first racing seat with an extremely sturdy double shell made of the fiber reinforced composite Kevlar – for top-level safety and low weight (6.5 kg).
1977
Groundbreaking innovations in ergonomics - the new Recaro Airmatic® pneumatic lumbar support. Adjustable side bolsters on the seat cushion and backrest and Recaro's first electrically adjustable backrest significantly improve adaptability to individual requirements.
Acoustic comfort: under the name Recarofonie, the company launches a seat with stereo loudspeakers integrated in the headrest.
1981
Recaro enters the world of commercial vehicle seats, unveiling the first driver's seat with a shock-cushioning system.
1984
A seat that remembers: the Recaro CSE extra comfort seat is the first to have a memory function.
1989
The first seat for taxi drivers, the Recaro T-Line, impresses with a seat cover that lets the body breathe.
1989
Innovation in novel materials: the Recaro A8 sports seat comes with a racing shell made of plastic.
Recaro launches its newly developed driver's seat for commercial vehicles, the Recaro Profi-Class, as a dedicated product line.
1990
Cool cabbies: the company introduces the Recaro taxi seat, the first car seat with ventilation (Recaro Vent System®).
1991
The Recaro Variomed is the world's first vehicle seat to provide asymmetrical adjustment options.
1995
The world's first racing shell with head protection: Recaro’s new Pro Racer racing shell revolutionizes safety standards in professional motorsport.
1998
Luxury in the back: together with the KEIPER company, Recaro develops the concept for the rear seat system in the new Maybach.
2002
Recaro becomes the first manufacturer to offer a racing shell that uses the HANS (Head And Neck Support) system, which protects the driver in the event of a serious accident.
2004
Recaro unveils the world's first retrofit universal side airbag seat with ABE for different vehicle models. Recaro launches the first road-legal racing shell, the Pole Position (ABE). Thanks to optimum shoulder and lumbar support, the models in this range are among the most popular shell seats.
2005
Recaro becomes the world's first seat manufacturer to revolutionize seating design with its new lightweight composite shell.
2007
The new Cross Speed is a seat that has sporty side support but also makes it easy to get in and out – developed by Recaro specifically for 4x4s and SUVs.
2009
To this day, it remains the world's lightest retrofit seat: the newly unveiled Recaro Pole Position Carbon (ABE) weighs just 4.5 kg.
2010
Recaro presents the Pure Seating concept seat for urban and electric vehicles. It has intelligent adjustment mechanisms and a weight saving of 50% compared to conventional seats.
2013
Recaro Automotive Seating unveils the P 1300 GT, the first racing shell with fore-aft adjustment, combining top-level safety with bespoke comfort.
2014
An innovation for commercial vehicles: Recaro Automotive Seating presents its newly developed vehicle seat generation based on a modular system.
2015
With the Recaro Sports Seat Platform (RSSP), for the first time the platform approach is used for a seating concept. The RSSP features an innovative combination of weight reduction and a customized look and feel.
2016
Looking to the future, Recaro Automotive Seating presents innovative concepts for electrified and comfort-optimized commercial vehicle seats designed for autonomous driving.
2017
World premiere for the new modular, customizable Recaro Performance Seat Platform (RPSP).