History

Webasto has been family-owned since its foundation in 1901. The company has been supplying the automotive industry for over 75 years: today it is split into the divisions Convertible & Roof as well as Global Comfort Solutions for heating and air conditioning systems.

1901: Foundation

At the age of 55, Wilhelm Baier founds a company that goes by the name of: „Esslinger Draht und Eisenwarenfabrik Wilhelm Baier, Esslingen/Neckar“.

1908: Move to Stockdorf/ Bavaria

Webasto uses the water power of the river Würm for the machine drive and profits from the vicinity to the North-Italian bike industry. Splashguards and racks are part of the portfolio from Webasto.

1932: Steel plate and fabric

In the middle of the 30s the first folding roof of Webasto – the so-called “Baier folding roof” – is assembled into a panorama bus.

1935: Webasto puts the heating on

Wilhelm Baier constructs the „Car fresh air heating“ for water-cooled engines. The „Flüstertüte“ uses the principle of a heat exchanger.

1952: More than hot air

Development of the first heater for buses as well as engine independent heaters for passenger cars.

1956: Pioneer Work

Webasto delivers the first steel sunroof to Daimler-Benz – at request for the types 180 till 220 as well as for the 300er special class („Adenauer“).

1974: The Start of the Glass Roof's Success Story

A glass roof in the Ford Fiesta - which could be raised at the rear but not slid open - brings light and a feeling of space into the car. The first serial pop-up sliding roof of glass is installed only 5 years later.

1986: Foundation of the expansion

Webasto becomes a corporation. The Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik continuously grows and begins the sunroof production in the new plant in Schierling (near Regensburg).

1989: Light and air

The Audi A80 Coupé receives the first sunroof with mono-crystalline solar cells for parking ventilation, which provides ventilation while closed.

1992: Neubrandenburg – New perspectives

With the construction of a new manufacturing plant the former VEB Sirokko turns into a modern factory for parking heaters.

2000: Smart Convertible Roof

An attractive, small and modern car: the first convertible roof from Webasto is one of the most up-to-date of its time. It can be opened and closed during travel – just like a sliding roof.

2007: Big things for the little one

The Smart fortwo show-cases the worldwide largest polycarbonate panorama roof of Webasto.

2008: Expansion

Opening of the new headquarters of Global Comfort Solutions (GCS) in Gilching.

Softtop competence Webasto-Edscha Cabrio

2009: Acquisition despite the crisis

Acquisition of the convertible division of Edscha – the largest acquisition of Webasto.

2010: Expansion with full pressure

With the aquisition of Karmann North America Webasto extended its position as market leader for convertible roofs . For the first time ever the group achieved sales of around 2 billion Euros.

2010: Next-generation parking heater

The new Thermo Top Evo automobile heaters are the lightest in their class.

2011: 25 years convertible feeling

The story of the Convertible Roofs unit began with the start of production for the BMW 3 series convertible.

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Locations worldwide

Have a look at our international Webasto locations.