If there is - or was - an indisputable reference when it comes to the design and production of sports seats, it was undoubtedly Recaro. Although he not only dedicated himself to designing baquets and semi-baquets with a unique and beautiful style (he also did it with aviation seats and children's chairs, although in the latter he did not stand out in a very positive way), it was his main asset... and why? What do we talk about in the past tense? Well, because just a few days ago it was made public that Recaro has declared bankruptcy.
Recaro's bankruptcy was reported to a German court on July 30, the same day that the company, one of the oldest car seat brands, communicated the financial situation to the 215 employees who work at its Kirchheim unter Teck factory, southwest of Stuttgart.
Goodbye to Recaro and BBS
The truth is that the company has been involved in several movements, changes of name and hands in recent years. Around 2011, the Johnson Controls group announced the purchase of Recaro Automotive, which became fully effective in 2016 and was renamed Adient. In 2020 they sold their rights to Raven Acquisitions, while the workers they counted one after another salary concession with the aim of trying to stabilize the accounts.
However, everything has ended up collapsing and very sadly Recaro has not been able to avoid bankruptcy, outcome that tire specialist BBS has also experienced. And now that? Well, everything suggests that we will have to say goodbye once and for all to the products that both marketed with such success among motor and four-wheel fans.
Collecting fruits of Asian production
But be careful, because they may not be the only ones: the future of other legendary brands such as ZF or Valeo could become murky in just a few months. The first contemplates a whopping 14.000 layoffs in the coming years, due to the decrease in demand in transmissions; and the second, according to Europa Press, would be looking for buyers for three of its French factories in order to safeguard more than 1.000 jobs... Without a doubt, the effects of electric cars and Asian production are beginning to make an impact in Europe.
Images | Recaro, Audi and Renault