Name

Uedelhoven Studios

Legal name

Uedelhoven GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://uedelhoven-studios.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Design and Engineering Services

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (541420), Industrial Design Services (54142), Other Specialized Design Services (54149), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Production Design & Art Department Services (Sets, Props, Scenic) (MPADAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD), Outsourced Art/Audio Production Services (2D/3D, Animation, VFX, Audio/VO) (MPAFAKAM)

Keywords

• Automotive design services
• Vehicle prototype manufacturing
• Showcar development
• Concept modeling engineering
• CFRP composite manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Gaimersheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Design and Engineering Services: Concept development, design, and engineering services for automotive, aviation, and public sector clients. Projects range from initial sketches to complete vehicle prototypes.
2. Prototype and Showcar Manufacturing: Production of fully functional vehicle prototypes including clay models, hard models, exterior and interior models, and complete showcars.
3. Model Technology and Manufacturing: CNC milling, CFRP parts, composite manufacturing, and rapid prototyping services for third-party clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Uedelhoven Studios (UE | STUDIOS) provides end-to-end design and engineering services for international automotive manufacturers, aviation companies, and public institutions. The company delivers concept design, Class-A surface modeling, clay and hard modeling, advanced manufacturing (CNC milling, CFRP/GFK composites, rapid prototyping), UI/UX and HMI design, VR/AR visualization, and fully functional showcar and prototype production, including the SUE autonomous electric People Mover.

Product overview

Uedelhoven Studios (UE | STUDIOS) is a design and engineering company operating as a single unified offering with multiple integrated service divisions rather than discrete product modules. The portfolio centers on the SUE autonomous People Mover as their flagship innovation, complemented by core showcar and prototype manufacturing services. Design services span transportation design, industrial design, and UI/UX design. Technical capabilities include CAS (Computer Aided Styling) with NURBS and polygonal modeling, model technology (clay, hard, functional models), advanced visualization (VR, AR, CGI), and comprehensive manufacturing (CFK, CNC, rapid prototyping). Engineering services cover concept development through production support. The company positions itself as a full-service provider from initial concept sketches through functional prototypes, serving international automotive manufacturers, aviation companies, and public institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SUE (Self-driving Urban E-Shuttle) A fully electric, autonomous driving People Mover designed for real-world public transit deployment, featuring a 48V skateboard platform, E/E architecture, and human-centric interior design with speeds up to 50 km/h. Targeted at municipalities, public transit operators, and government mobility programs.
• Showcars and Vehicle Prototypes Fully functional vehicle prototypes including showcars, prototypes, see-through models, full runner vehicles, electronic development, showcar handling, and exhibition support for international automotive manufacturers.
• Transportation Design Services Comprehensive transportation design services including concept design, seat design, light design, color and trim, and design thinking for automotive and mobility applications.
• Model Technology and Physical Modeling Physical modeling capabilities including clay models, hard models, exterior and interior models, functional models, aero models, seating bucks, prototype saddlery, and paint shop services.
• CAS (Computer Aided Styling) Services Digital modeling services including Class-A modeling, Strak modeling, NURBS modeling (Alias, ICEM Surf, Rhinoceros), polygonal modeling (Maya, Speedform, Cinema 4D), and generative design using Grasshopper.
• Advanced Visualization Services Advanced visualization including Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, CGI (VRED, After Effects), movie rendering, backgrounds, and textures for design presentations.
• Manufacturing Services Production capabilities including CFK (carbon fiber) parts, autoclave processing, CNC milling, metal processing, rapid prototyping, small batch production, and motorsport components.
• UI/UX and HMI Design Services
• Engineering Services
• Installation and Exhibition Design

Quantifiable outcome

• 150+ showcars produced since 1991, establishing world market leadership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DB Regio (RBO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2022Consortium partner for SUE autonomous public transit project. DB Regio provides insights on prerequisites for successful People Mover implementation, customer needs, and sustainable operations based on their experience as Germany's largest public transit operator.
• ElringKlinger AGcoreTechnology or Integration · 2 August 2022Battery technology partner for SUE project. Developing low-voltage battery system for autonomous electric vehicle. ElringKlinger has been a serial supplier in battery technology for 10 years, offering both components and complete systems.
• Faissner Petermeier Fahrzeugtechnik AGcoreTechnology or Integration · 2 August 2022System integrator for electric drives on SUE project. Responsible for concept, electrical integration, and safeguarding of powertrain system plus VCU (Vehicle Control Unit) programming.
• TÜV NORD MobilitätcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 2 August 2022Approval support partner for SUE. Provides development support on approval topics based on national, European, and international requirements. Integrates legal requirements like AFGBV and standards like ISO26262 and SOTIF into vehicle development.
• Fraunhofer EMFTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2022Research partner developing precise localization methods for the SUE autonomous shuttle through sensor fusion of multiple localization approaches for highly accurate and redundant positioning.
• Technische Hochschule IngolstadtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2022Scientific partner developing and evaluating concepts for SUE interaction and operation through user-centered, participatory development process focused on optimizing user acceptance.
• Niedersächsisches Forschungszentrum Fahrzeugtechnik (NFF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2022Research partner from TU Braunschweig contributing experience from automated vehicle development and demonstration. Developing and implementing license-capable driving function for SUE.
• Landkreis KelheimcoreOthers · 2 August 2022Pilot region for SUE autonomous shuttle. Experience from KEXI On-Demand traffic with three People Movers since summer 2022. Contributes infrastructure, operating experience, approval knowledge, and technical control center expertise.
• IFG IngolstadtminorOthers · 2 August 2022Economic development agency of Ingolstadt providing municipal perspective. Creating comprehensive guideline analyzing challenges for People Mover introduction in urban public transit.
• Fraundorfer AeronauticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2020Strategic partnership for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market entry. Fraundorfer Aeronautics and Uedelhoven Studios have been collaborating for several years on aircraft development including the Tensor 600X (planned market launch 2021) and Tensor 800X (planned 2023). Uedelhoven brings automotive industry expertise to aviation design and manufacturing.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EDAG: Germany-based engineering services provider for automotive OEMs offering concept, engineering, and prototype capabilities. Directly comparable to Uedelhoven's automotive design and prototyping focus, though at a much larger scale (~8,000 employees).
• Italdesign: Italian transportation design and engineering house building concept vehicles, prototypes, and showcars for global OEMs. Closest international analog to Uedelhoven's transportation design and showcar delivery model.
• Bertrandt: German automotive development services company providing design, engineering, and prototype services to OEMs and suppliers. Closely comparable to Uedelhoven in customer base and service portfolio, but with broader scale and global footprint.
• Pininfarina: Iconic Italian design and engineering services firm with a strong showcar and concept-vehicle heritage. Highly comparable in service offering (concept design, prototyping, full-vehicle development) and luxury OEM client base.
• RLE International: German engineering services company offering product development, CAE, and prototyping to automotive and industrial customers. Comparable in service portfolio and customer overlap, though more development/CAE focused than design-led.
• IAV: German automotive engineering services firm offering vehicle, powertrain, and electronics development. Comparable as a domestic German engineering services peer serving similar OEM customers.

Broad incumbents

• Valmet Automotive: Finnish contract manufacturer and engineering services firm producing vehicles and prototypes. Comparable in vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing, though primarily focused on serial EV production rather than showcar/prototype work.
• FEV: German-headquartered engineering services provider focused on powertrain, vehicle, and software development. Comparable as a domestic German engineering services peer, though more powertrain-software focused than Uedelhoven's design-heavy model.
• Magna Steyr: Austrian-based contract manufacturer and engineering services arm of Magna International, building complete vehicles and prototypes for global OEMs. Comparable in prototype and contract manufacturing capability but operates at significantly larger scale with broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• Fraundorfer Aeronautics: German eVTOL developer (Tensor 600X/800X) that has partnered with Uedelhoven Studios on design and manufacturing. Relevant as an emerging AAM peer and direct partner on aviation adjacency rather than as a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uedelhoven-studios

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Uedelhoven Studios