Westfalia-Automotive

What Westfalia-Automotive does

Westfalia-Automotive GmbH is a German manufacturer of vehicle-specific towbars, electrical wiring kits, bike carriers, and OBD-based coding tools for cars and light commercial vehicles, headquartered in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany. Founded in 1932 as the self-identified inventor of the towbar, the company offers more than 1,700 vehicle-specific towbar types and a catalog of 2,028+ SKUs developed in cooperation with leading automotive OEMs. Its product architecture pairs mechanical towbar systems with CAN bus-integrated wiring kits and Autocode-Mini / Autocode-Remote coding devices that activate trailer functions in modern vehicles; the Remote variant adds cloud connectivity and live expert support. The firm is described as the European market leader and one of the world's leading manufacturers in its category. Westfalia-Automotive generates revenue primarily through hardware sales (towbars, wiring kits, bike carriers, and accessories) distributed via a multi-channel model: a pan-European stockist and dealer network for B2B workshops, an in-house e-commerce store and country-specific regional websites (Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Italy, Spain, France) for B2C and SMB buyers, and dedicated B2B trade portals (e.g., tradetow.com) for wholesale pricing. The Autocode product line introduces a secondary software/transactions revenue stream via pay-per-use coding vouchers layered on top of device sales. Customer segments span independent automotive workshops and dealers (primary), individual vehicle owners (primary, B2C), and automotive manufacturers (secondary, for vehicle-specific co-development). The company completed its separation from First Brands Group and rebranded from Horizon Global Europe to Westfalia-Automotive Group on February 16, 2026, with financial backing from unnamed key financial partners.

Name

Westfalia-Automotive

Legal name

Westfalia-Automotive GmbH

Website

https://www.westfalia-automotive.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Westfalia-Automotive is a German manufacturer of vehicle-specific towbars, electrical wiring kits, bike carriers, and OBD coding tools, serving automotive workshops, dealers, vehicle owners, and OEMs across Europe. Founded in 1932, it is a self-described European market leader.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Towbars and Transport Solutions

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (336320)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)

akta.pro primary industry

Aftermarket Exterior Accessories Manufacturing (Body Kits/Grilles/Bumpers/Racks/Tow Hooks) (IMACANAI)

Keywords

• Vehicle towbars
• Electrical wiring kits
• Bike carriers
• Automotive transport solutions
• Vehicle coding tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Rheda-wiedenbrück

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Towbar Sales: Revenue from manufacturing and selling vehicle-specific and universal towbars for cars and light commercial vehicles. Products sold through dealer/stockist network and direct e-commerce.
2. Electrical Wiring Kits: Sale of vehicle-specific and universal wiring kits (7-pin and 13-pin systems) that connect trailer electrical systems to vehicles, including relay technology and CAN bus solutions.
3. Bike Racks and Carriers: Sale of towbar-mounted bike carriers including Bikelander and BC 60 models, along with accessories like transport boxes, platforms, and ramps.
4. Autocode Coding Solutions: Sale of Autocode-Mini and Autocode-Remote diagnostic/coding tools for workshops to activate vehicle trailer functions. Revenue from device sales plus voucher/code purchases for coding activations.
5. Accessories and Spare Parts: Sale of spare parts, accessories, and mounting materials for towbars, wiring kits, and bike carriers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Westfalia-Automotive manufactures and sells vehicle-specific towbars, electrical wiring kits (including CAN bus technology), towbar-mounted bike carriers, and Autocode vehicle coding tools for cars and light commercial vehicles. The company also distributes accessories and spare parts supporting its towbar and bike carrier product lines. Products are sold through dealer/stockist networks, B2B trade portals, OEM partnerships, and direct e-commerce.

Product overview

Westfalia-Automotive is a manufacturer of towbars and transport solutions with over 90 years of experience. The product portfolio centers on four core product lines: (1) Towbars as the foundational product, developed in close cooperation with leading automotive manufacturers for precise vehicle-specific fit; (2) Electrical Wiring Kits in vehicle-specific and universal variants, ranging from relay technology to modern CAN bus sets that integrate with vehicle data systems; (3) Autocode Coding Solutions comprising the Autocode-Mini handheld device and Autocode-Remote cloud-based diagnostic tool, enabling workshops to activate trailer functions after installation; and (4) Bike Racks including Bikelander, Bikelander Classic, and BC 60 models with accessories such as transport boxes, platforms, and loading ramps. The portfolio is rounded out with Power Springs and Accessories and Spare Parts. All products are designed for vehicles including cars and light commercial vehicles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Westfalia-Automotive Group: The parent group company encompassing the towbar and bike rack manufacturing business
• Autocode
• Bikelander
• BC 60

Products and services

• Towbars Vehicle-specific towbars developed in close cooperation with leading automotive manufacturers, engineered to precisely fit individual vehicle towbar mounting points for quick and easy installation. Available in removable and fixed variants for cars and light commercial vehicles.
• Electrical Wiring Kits Vehicle-specific and universal wiring kits including 7-pin and 13-pin systems, spanning from relay technology to modern CAN bus sets actively connected to the vehicle data bus, enabling trailer lighting, safety, and comfort functions.
• Autocode-Mini Handheld vehicle coding device that enables workshops to activate trailer function and other vehicle features via OBD port connection, with a pay-per-use voucher system and PC software for updates.
• Autocode-Remote Remote diagnostic device connecting to OBD port and internet via WLAN/LAN, providing cloud-based vehicle coding with live expert support for applications including trailer hitch coding, key learning, and service resets.
• Bikelander / Bikelander Classic Towbar-mounted bike carrier extendable to carry up to 3 bikes, with folding capability and tilt function for rear access.
• BC 60 Towbar-mounted bike carrier for 2 bikes, extendable to 3, with 60 kg maximum load capacity suitable for e-bikes, 13-pin wiring connection, and tilt function.
• Accessories and Spare Parts Range of spare parts and accessories for towbars, bike racks, and wiring kits including socket holders, gaskets, relay adapters, control units, and sockets.
• Power Springs Power springs used to support vehicle transport solutions within the broader Westfalia-Automotive product portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1700 vehicle-specific towbar types available
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Thule Group: Thule is a Swedish manufacturer of bike racks, cargo carriers, and towbar-mounted transport solutions. It overlaps directly with Westfalia's bike carrier (Bikelander, BC 60) and accessory product lines, serving similar European B2B and B2C customers.
• Atera GmbH: Atera is a German manufacturer of towbar-mounted bike racks and roof cargo systems. It competes with Westfalia's Bikelander and BC 60 product lines in the German and broader European bike carrier market.
• Umbra Rimorchi: Umbra Rimorchi is an Italian manufacturer of towbars and trailer components. It competes with Westfalia in Southern European markets with a focus on vehicle-specific and universal towbar solutions.
• Brink Group (SAF-Holland): Brink is a leading European towbar manufacturer, owned by SAF-Holland. It competes head-to-head with Westfalia in vehicle-specific detachable and fixed towbars, including CAN bus wiring solutions, primarily in OEM and European aftermarket channels.
• Steinhof (Grupa Azoty / Polish towbar maker): Steinhof is a leading Polish towbar manufacturer with broad European distribution. It competes with Westfalia in vehicle-specific towbars, particularly in Central and Eastern European markets.
• MVG (Metalverniciatura): MVG is an Italian manufacturer of towbars and trailer components with European distribution. It competes with Westfalia in the European aftermarket for vehicle-specific and universal towbars.
• ACPS Automotive (Oris): ACPS Automotive, owner of the Oris brand, is a premium European towbar specialist. It competes with Westfalia in high-end vehicle-specific towbars and modular systems sold to OEMs and the aftermarket.
• Bosal Group: Bosal is a major European manufacturer of towbars, exhaust systems, and related automotive accessories. It directly competes with Westfalia-Automotive in vehicle-specific towbars sold through dealer and aftermarket channels across Europe.

Regional players

• Curt Group: Curt Group is a major North American manufacturer of towing products including hitches, wiring, and accessories. It is a regional peer in the same product category as Westfalia but serves primarily the US and Canadian markets.
• Hayman Reese (Cequent): Hayman Reese is an Australian towing products manufacturer under Cequent. It overlaps with Westfalia in towbars and wiring but operates primarily in Australia and New Zealand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/westfaliauk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WestfaliaAutomotive
• Facebookfacebook.com/waau.com.au
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westfalia-automotive-australia
• Instagraminstagram.com/westfalia_automotive

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Westfalia-Automotive