We reported in July 2024 that the iconic German performance seat supplier Recaro Automotive filed for bankruptcy. This came years after the firm changed hands from Adient to private investment firm Raven Acquisitions in 2020. The bankruptcy didn’t affect the company’s gaming or airplane seating businesses, but it spelled uncertainty for these sporty seats in cars.
Now, the automotive seat supplier has been saved by investment from Italian supplier Proma Group. Starting in January 2025, Recaro Automotive’s operations will continue and relaunch across Europe. The business will continue to be based in Stuttgart, keeping some of its staff from the Sales and Technology departments from before the bankruptcy. However, OEM production will be transferred to Italy.
“Our investment in Recaro Automotive will strengthen our ability to deliver a premium seating product while embracing the most cutting-edge innovations in the automotive sector,” says Luca Pino, CEO of Proma Group. “The Recaro name is renowned throughout the world as a benchmark of German industrial technology, and Proma Group, a symbol of Italian manufacturing excellence, is excited about the future and the quality that will be expressed in the automotive market thanks to the union of two first-class companies.”
What about North America? Proma Group says Recaro’s operations in North America and Japan “are continuing to function as usual, providing the same high standard of products and service that Recaro Automotive customers in these regions have come to rely on.”
This is good news for car enthusiasts worldwide who see the importance of high-performance seats. The company previously served as a seat supplier for GM, with the sportier models of the last-generation Alpha-based vehicles (Chevy Camaro, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac CTS) offering Recaro seats as optional equipment. The 2024 Chevy Camaro was the last GM model to offer the company’s seats. Now, this new investment opens up the possibility of sporty GM models coming equipped with these performance seats again.
The company was founded in 1906 as Stuttgarter Carosserie und Radfabrik (Stuttgart Body and Wheel), focusing on vehicle body production for a variety of Volkswagen and Porsche models. The company later adopted the Recaro name in 1963, refocusing its efforts towards automotive seating after Porsche acquired the body business. In 1965, the company launched sport seats for the Porsche 911. The company has since grown to become a well-known seat provider in the aftermarket, racing, and restomod communities.
Comments
Luxury seating supplier consolidation has begun. IMHO, they relied too much on VW / Audi group. When several models were discontinued, they were SOL…plus their seats are expensive options.
Being a boomer, I think Recaro should at least offer some bench seat options – a 60/40 type with fold down arm rests (integral storage of course).
You didn’t need to tell us you are a boomer. The rest of your comment does the job.
On the bench:
That’s an idea. To survive, one must be open to being flexible to the market!
There’s a big surprise. Private equity buys the company and tanks it. Big surprise.
AKA “Strip and Flip”.