HOFELE-Design GmbH, founded 1983 in Donzdorf, Germany, is a specialist German tuning company for Mercedes-Benz. HOFELE-Design is recognised by SAE International as a vehicle manufacturer and has been awarded a Worldwide Manufacturers Identification code by the .
History
The Hofele Family has been connected with Mercedes-Benz since 1915. Carl Hofele, grandfather of the current company owners, was an apprentice at Karl Benz & Cie in Mannheim-Waldof in 1915. Carl Hofele became one of the pioneers of airplane constructions and designed and constructed his first flying glider in 1928 with the cooperation of Wolf Hirth. Carl Hofele founded the Fliegergruppe 1928 Donzdorf e.V., an early Aviation Club in Germany, which after over 80 years still exists and now owns an airport on the mount Messelberg near Donzdorf. In 1946, Carl’s son, Bruno Hofele, worked as a young trainee engineer with Böhringer and participated in the construction and production of the new Unimog which was later acquired by Daimler-Benz in 1951. From there, Bruno started developing and building innovative products like the Stauferland which was further improved to be fully equipped on a Ford Transitlight truck. In 1977, he invented the first Ski Box and has been awarded with the official patent. Since 1978, Hofele has been providing these boxes to Daimler-Benz. Then came Bruno’s sons, Martin and Michael, who were fascinated by motor sport events, tuning and rebuilding their private cars and friends’ cars. In 1983, Martin started the HOFELE-Design business in their father’s double garage. Michael joined the business later in 1987 and they relocated to a larger building and warehouse in Herrengartenstr 6, Donzdorf. In 2000, HOFELE-Design GmbH acquired a new facility in Hermann-Schwarz-Str. 11, Donzdorf where the brothers continue to design and manufacture its automotive products. Since 2018, HOFELE-Design became the official contract partner of Daimler AG in the field of converted vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Operations
HOFELE-Design through is tuning contract with Daimler AG supply and modify the complete range of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars to Europe, China, Middle East, Russia, and other export markets.
HOFELE-Design is recognised by SAE International as a vehicle manufacturer and has been awarded a Worldwide Manufacturers Identification Code by the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt. In 2010, European Motor Magazine Publisher has given HOFELE-Design an “Sport Auto” Award with the “SR8” – Concept, based on Audi A8. In the same year, Chamber of Commerce awarded HOFELE-Design to mark its 25 years of Export excellence to the World.
