Overview

2020

EDAG Group presents the further development of the EDAG CityBot as an AI prototype, proving that its visionary mobility conce pt is feasible.

The prototype is able to move autonomously on a playground. Through the use of AI and machine learning, object recognition was developed that enables the EDAG CityBot to identify various objects.

2019

The world premiere of the EDAG CityBot took place at the IAA 2019. The EDAG Group did not only present a new concept car, but also a visionary mobility concept.

Thanks to its modularity and multifunctionality, the EDAG CityBot is ready for use around the clock and can be configured as required by means of add-on modules. For example, it can be used as a passenger cell, cargo carrier or city cleaning device.

2019

50 YEARS OF EDAG – major company anniversary and successful positioning as the leading engineering and production specialist for future mobility.

2015

The initial public offering on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange took place on 2 December 2015.

2015

Construction of the EDAG Technology and Development Centre in Wolfsburg-Warmenau. This year also sees the world premiere of the EDAG Light Cocoon concept at the Geneva Motor Show. The company’s legal form is changed to EDAG Engineering GmbH.

2014

At the Geneva Motor Show, EDAG presents the futuristic vehicle sculpture EDAG Genesis, which demonstrates the revolutionary potential of additive manufacturing using the example of a bionically inspired body structure.

2013

With the acquisition of the BFFT Group (approx. 600 employees), EDAG strengthens its position in the E/E segment. The Competence Centre for Car IT is founded.

2012

With the acquisition of the Rücker Group (with approximately 2,500 employees) EDAG becomes one of the leading independent automotive development service providers, now employing more than 7,000 people.

2010

The E-Mobility Competence Centre is established at EDAG’s head office in Fulda.

2009

In just 13 months, EDAG and Dürr design, build and hand over a turnkey assembly line for the Airbus A320 in Tianjin, China. In its anniversary year, EDAG has more than 5,800 employees worldwide.

2008

Successful completion of the full development project for the new Opel Meriva. This was the first time in Opel’s history that an external partner had been given complete responsibility for developing a new vehicle model.

2006

EDAG gains a new, financially strong shareholder. ATON GmbH takes over 100 per cent of the ordinary shares from the families who founded EDAG Engineering + Design AG.

2004

The first office in China is opened close to the company’s major customer, Changan Motors, in Shanghai. EDAG acquires 100 per cent of the shares in FFT (Flexible Fertigungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG). Founded in 1974, FFT is one of the leading plant construction companies for the automotive industry.

2002

Ewald Vollmer passes away on 15 March 2002 after a short but serious illness. An outstanding engineer and businessman, he played a significant role in shaping Eckard Design/EDAG for over 30 years and helped the company become the world’s largest development services provider.

2001

EDAG builds a 10,500 m² production hall at the Fulda-West site. It is now possible to preassemble complete production facilities and test them under real-world conditions. The EDAG successfully completes its largest vehicle development project to date, the S203, for which it had overall responsibility.

2000

World premiere of the EDAG 2000 concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle demonstrates how the one-box concept can be formally transferred to the classic saloon car segment. The number of employees passes the 3,000 mark.

1999

With its Scout design study, a pick-up derivative of the Mercedes M-Class, EDAG successfully demonstrates the company’s design and model construction expertise at the Geneva Motor Show. At the IAA 1999 in Frankfurt, the EDAG presents the world debut of the EDAG Holospace – a milestone in virtual reality technology.

1998

EDAG Holding Sdn. Bhd. is established in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as a wholly owned subsidiary of EDAG. In Germany, EDAG is the first automotive service provider to be admitted as a member of the VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry).

1996

With foreign markets becoming increasingly important for development services, EDAG initiates new activities in North and South America (USA, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina) as well as in South Africa and Asia (Malaysia). Sales exceed the DM 300 million mark.

1994

EDAG Inc. begins operating in Detroit, the birthplace of automotive mass production.

1992

Eckard Design GmbH becomes EDAG Engineering + Design AG, with share capital of DM 10.5 million.

1990

Eckard-Design Ltd is founded in Witham, UK, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Eckard Design.

1989

In the company’s 20th anniversary year, sales exceed the "magical" threshold of DM 100 million.

1987

In Ingolstadt, a development order for Autolatina (Ford/VW) is carried out completely in CAD for the first time.

1985

The company begins building an international presence by opening an office in Witham (UK). The first design orders for Opel are acquired.

1984

Eckard Design employs more than 250 people for the first time. Federal President Carl Carstens officially recognises the company’s achievements in the field of professional training.

1983

The first CAD systems are introduced at EDAG as part of a project for Audi.

1980

The first body development order for Daimler-Benz.

1977

Start of collaboration with Audi. As a customer of Eckard Design, the Ingolstadt-based car maker is in good company alongside the likes of Ford, BMW, VW, Roth-Electric, KUKA, Voith and FFT.

1976

One of the company’s first major orders is received from Karmann in Osnabrück. It is completed well ahead of the agreed deadline. The flexible working time model with payment for any extra hours worked proves successful.

1973

VW is the latest addition to the customer portfolio. Sales increase to over DM 3.3 million. EDAG begins to offer training, with Willi Schwarz becoming the company’s first apprentice.

1970

After opening offices in Cologne and Munich, the company opens an office in Fulda which becomes the company’s headquarters. All car manufacturers are located within a maximum 300 km radius of the Fulda office.

1969

Horst Eckard establishes the company Eckard Design in Groß-Zimmern near Darmstadt. The Ford factory in Cologne is the first customer. At the end of the first year, BMW also becomes a customer.