Webasto

What they do

Webasto designs and builds roof systems for cars, from sliding sunroofs to large panoramic glass roofs and convertible tops, plus parking heaters, thermal management and battery systems. In 2025 revenue was about 4.0 billion euros, of which roof systems contributed about 79 per cent, thermo management about 13 per cent and batteries about 8 per cent. It has more than 50 locations, including over 40 production sites, and about 13,100 employees at the end of 2025.

Why it matters

Glass roofs have become a standard feature of electric and premium cars, and Webasto supplies them to carmakers across Europe, the Americas and Asia; its revenue is now more Asian and American than European. Its parking heaters are a familiar name to truck drivers and owners of camper vans.

The restructuring plan, agreed with all stakeholders, includes about 1,000 job cuts in Germany plus reductions abroad, expected to save 150 million euros a year. Webasto expected to break even in 2026 and return to profit in 2027.

Products to know

• Sliding sunroofs and panoramic roofs.
• Convertible soft tops.
• Water and air parking heaters.
• Battery systems for commercial vehicles.

The German angle

Wilhelm Baier founded the business in Esslingen on 7 March 1901, making sheet-metal goods including parts for mousetraps. After moving to Stockdorf near Munich in 1908, it took the name Webasto, from Wilhelm Baier and Stockdorf. In the 1930s it developed its first folding fabric roof and vehicle heater. The automotive downturn hit it hard: in October 2025 lenders extended about 1.2 billion euros of credit lines to the end of 2028 and added 200 million euros, carmakers agreed to pay higher prices, and the owning families placed a large part of their shares with a trustee.

Sources

• Webasto: Facts and figures
• Webasto: 125 years anniversary
• Webasto: Financing secured
• VerkehrsRundschau: Rettungsplan für Webasto steht