Back in 1906, a chap called Wilhelm Reutter founded "Stuttgarter Carosserie und Radfabrik" in Munich, Germany, to start on the development and production of car bodies, interior fittings and car seats for automobiles. In 1909 Wilhelm's brother Albert Reutter joined the company as a partner and commercial manager, the company's name changed to "Stuttgarter Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co". After early success, they entered into a partnership with Porsche in 1930, and manufactured the first bodies for Porsche types 7, 8, 9, 12 and 32 in 1931!
As the years passed, they also produced the Volkswagen 303, owned 2 manufacturing plants and employed around 900 employees. But in 1944 the main factory became severely damaged in an air raid, shrinking the workforce to 94 people. In 1949 Porsche requested the company to build their Porsche 356 sports car bodies. 1956 saw the company celebrate their 50th anniversary, and in the same year celebrated the 10,000th manufactured Porsche body, but in 1963, Porsche acquired the car body factory due to an agreed trade deal.
What remained of the company was renamed to RECARO (REutter-CAROsserie), and the focus was shifted to the manufacture of high end seats. RECARO began producing both OEM seats for Porsche, and a separate line of aftermarket seats, with RECARO presenting their first RECARO sport seat at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1965. Later in 1974, the first RECARO Motorsport seat was born and based on the RECARO professional full shell seat.
Today, RECARO is known for being the world’s largest automotive and commercial seat manufacturer for, cars, planes, and trains! Because of this, RECARO have vast knowledge which gives them a prime advantage when it comes to providing sport seats. RECARO also have over 40 years experience in professional Motorsport which has also allowed RECARO to gain a distinct development advantage in terms of seat safety and technology.
RECARO are all about making the driving safer, more comfortable and more controlled, with a driving experience that you can really feel. They put people first. Every time. RECARO are equally obsessed with Motorsport, whatever record you broke yesterday, you aspire to beat it today, nd that is why RECARO are constantly looking for ways to allow you to shave time off the next lap, safely. Winning is one thing. But to be a champion, you need to keep learning and developing.
For over 110 years, RECARO believe in continuous innovation, and their pioneering mindset has been part of RECARO’s DNA since its foundation. Every detail counts, and every inch is painstakingly planned. RECARO set standards.
Rival Motorsport are a main UK dealer for RECARO, check out the range below.
