Webasto has been family-owned since its foundation in 1901. The company has been a supplier to the automotive industry for over 75 years: today it is split into the divisions Convertible, Roof & Body and 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 proximity to the North-Italian bike industry. Splashguards and racks are part of the Webasto portfolio.
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 – on order 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 glass roof is installed only 5 years later.
1986: Foundation of the expansion
Webasto becomes a corporation. The Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik grows continuously and begins the sunroof production in the new plant in Schierling (near Regensburg).
1989: Light and air
The Audi A80 Coupé is equipped with 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.
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.
