ACPS Automotive GmbH

ACPS Automotive is the market and technology leader for towbars for cars, SUVs and vans. The company was founded in Stuttgart in 1955 under the name ORIS and generated annual sales of around €440 million in 2024 with around 2,200 employees. ACPS Automotive develops, manufactures and sells its innovative and safe trailer and carrier systems at ten locations in Europe, North America and Asia under the ORIS brand. Its target markets are automotive OEMs and end-users as well as companies in the aftermarket, such as garages and dealers. ACPS Automotive holds more than 140 patents and shapes markets with its innovations. By granting licenses, the company also passes on technical progress to third parties. In 2026 ACPS Automotive becomes an independent part of the Meili Group.

In 1955 the entrepreneur Otto Riehle founded the company ORIS in Stuttgart for the production of towbars. After just a few years, he expanded the product range to include ski holders. Then, in the mid-sixties his son Hans Riehle took over the management and continuously expanded the success of the family business. In the following years ACPS Automotive went on to prove its technological leadership again and again. In 1968 Hans Riehle invented the business model of supplying... In 1985 development of the world's first automatic locking vertically detachable towbar. In 1990+ one of the best-selling towbars between 1990 and 2000 is the vertically detachable towbar. In 1999 Jörg Riehle is the third generation of the Riehle family to manage ORIS. In 1999 world innovation: Socket integrated into the ball neck for maximum ease of use. In 2000 invention of the swivel system and introduction of the world's first manually swivelling towbar. In 2009 development of the worldwide first half-electric swivelling towbar around only one inclined axis. In 2009 worldwide first full-electric swivelling towbar around only one inclined axis. In 2015 expansion of the Mexican plant, strengthening our US market. In 2015 world innovations: system of FIX4BIKE® towbar and bike carrier. In 2020 ACPS Automotive opens new headquarters in Ingersheim, Germany. In 2023 opening of the first Asian location in Shanghai, China, for sales and engineering. In 2025 in Kunshan, China, start of series production from the second half of 2025. Today 2026 ACPS Automotive becomes an independent part of the Meili Group.

Market and technology leader for towbars for cars, SUVs and vans.

• Towbars

• Trailer and carrier systems

• Bike carriers

• Ski holders

1. 1ACPS Automotive GmbHacps-automotive.com
2. 2Our History - ACPS Automotive GmbHacps-automotive.com
3. 3About us - ACPS Automotive GmbHacps-automotive.com
4. 4Press - ACPS Automotive GmbHacps-automotive.com
5. 5ACPS Automotive GmbHwikidata.org