History

Or how it all began...

In 1995 I was looking for high quality, emotional and balanced Volvo accessories on the market. Since I couldn't find them, I just did it by myself.

This quote from Holger Hedtke describes the first step towards to the founding of HEICO SPORTIV.
But first we are looking back:

1972 - 1982

Early inspiration. Holger Hedtke, founder and CEO of HEICO SPORTIV, discovers his passion for the Volvo brand and the Scandinavian way of life.

So it's no surprise that his first car is a used Volvo. A beautiful Volvo 144, built in 1973.

1989

The Hedtke family takes over an existing Volvo dealership in Weiterstadt (south of Frankfurt am Main, Germany) and opens together with six employees the Volvo dealership Hedtke.

1995-1997

The starting signal: HEICO Motorsport (Wiesbaden) develops three Volvo 850 T5s for racing on behalf of Volvo  Car Germany and starts with them at world-famous ADAC 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. From 1995 to 1997, two racing station wagons and a limousine thrilled the fans with their distinctive, angular shape and the pithy five-cylinder sound.

1996

The demand for the use of racing parts on regular production vehicles is rapidly increasing. Power upgrade, sport brake system and differential lock are the first official HEICO SPORTIV performance products for the Volvo 850 T5 and are thus finding their way from the race track to the public street.

1998 - 2004

In 1998, HEICO SPORTIV became an official Volvo motorsport partner with the first self-developed racing car based on the Volvo S40.

In 2001, a new Volvo S40 with finest motorsports technology is built and contests the entire VLN and the ADAC 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

In 2002 the team follows a different concept: reduction of expensive racing car technology under increased use of HEICO SPORTIV original products. HEICO employees Martin Müller and Patrick Brenndörfer take the wheel.

2000

Market launch of the first VOLUTION® sport wheel and establishment of the independent "HEICO Design", which is still successful today.

2000

In addition the growing company is realising with the Volvo V40 T4 SPORT EDITION an official special model for Volvo Automobile (Schweiz) AG for the first time.

2004

HEICO SPORTIV relocate from Darmstadt to Weiterstadt and moves to new premises close to the Hedtke car dealership.

2005

HEICO SPORTIV starts with a specially restored Volvo 240 Turbo Group A racing car at selected youngtimer races and the DTM revival.

2005 - 2007

At the Essen Motor Show 2005, HEICO SPORTIV presents its first own concept car and calls it ODIN. The Volvo S40 T5 enthuses the experts with a previously unimagined performance. Later ODIN transfered into a racing car.

In 2006, HEICO SPORTIV celebrates the first class victory in team history at the ADAC 24-hour race.

In 2007, the first VLN class victory with alternative fuels was achieved with bioethanol E85. HEICO SPORTIV is thus one of the first teams to prove that environmental protection and motorsport are compatible.

2006

Vegas, baby. On behalf of Volvo Car USA, HEICO SPORTIV is builing up the all-wheel drive concept car "HEICO HS3 Thor" based on the Volvo C30 T5, which is one of the stars at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The vehicle was realized in cooperation with the US snowboard manufacturer Burton and designed for winter sports enthusiasts.

2007

2007 HEICO SPORTIV represented in Las Vegas again a concept car, this time on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation: the "HEICO HS8 HPC" based on the Volvo S80 T6 . The "High Performance Concept" advances to become the darling of the public at the SEMA Show, thanks to an elaborate aluminum-design paint job and a 350 HP bioethanol engine (E85).

2007

Just as spectacular is the HEICO HS3 T5. With an exciting surf design on the outside, a complete leather interior in orange and acceleration to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, the special version of the Volvo C30 quickly conquers the hearts especially of young women.

2007 - 2014

Publicly effective fairs and shows together with Volvo at the Essen Motor Show, the Geneva Motor Show and the IAA in Frankfurt.

2008-2013

In many countries HEICO SPORTIV is an officially recommended tuning partner of Volvo now and realizes some special series:

2008: 29 Volvo V70/XC70 for the police in the UK and Ireland on behalf of Volvo Car Special Vehicles

2009: Volvo XC70 "Husky" for Volvo Switzerland

2010: 100 Volvo S60 T6 and Volvo V70 T6 SPORT EDITION each for Volvo Car Germany

2012: Volvo S60 T6 for Volvo Car Australia

2013: Volvo V40 "Sport200 Edition" for Volvo Switzerland

2008-2012

From 2008, HEICO SPORTIV uses the Volvo C30 in motorsport. In 2009, "24 hours, one decision" will follow, an emotional film about the team and the HEICO HS3 racing car.

In 2010, Patrick Brenndörfer, Frank Eickholt and Martin Müller celebrate a historic class victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring for the first time with bioethanol E85.

In 2012, HEICO SPORTIV converts the Volvo C30 to a D5 engine for biodiesel and demonstrates its years of know-how in the development of performance enhancements.

From 2011

HEICO SPORTIV "goes global" and expands its business activities in Europe, Russia, Australia and Asia. Further exclusive HEICO SPORTIV premium stores are opened in Bangkok (Thailand) and Himeji (Japan).

2013

This year is dominated by the new medium-size car. Highlight is the premiere of the Volvo V40 T5 "HPC", equipped with four-wheel drive and 350 hp.

2013 - 2016

In 2013 a new Volvo V40 replaced the C30. In 2016 HEICO SPORTIV wins the VLN 6h race for the fifth time - after 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 - and sends the Volvo V40 D5 into retirement. This marks the end of the ambitious team's many years of motorsport activities after eleven class victories and five second places with a heavy heart.

2014

HEICO SPORTIV is expanding the e.motion® product family and is the world's first supplier of performance enhancements for the new VEA engines. In addition, HEICO SPORTIV offers with Speedpack its first Vmax increase.

2016

HEICO SPORTIV is the first tuner in the aftermarket who developed with Selected Sound an approved  and legal system for customizing the exhaust sound for Volvo vehicles.

2017

With the e.motion® performance kit for the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar, HEICO SPORTIV is breaking the magical 400 hp mark for the first time and is offering the strongest Volvo in its 21-year history.

With Selected Level, HEICO SPORTIV offers for the first time a technology for lowering Volvo's adaptive air suspension.

2018

The product range is significantly expanded: e.motion® performance enhancement for Volvo plug-in hybrid models, new 21-inch VOLUTION® alloy wheels, body kit for Volvo XC60 and much more.

2018

Clear commitment: HEICO SPORTIV has been an active member of VDAT (Verband der Automobil Tuner e.V.) for 20 years and stands for serious and professional tuning and refinement.

2019

Under the headline "The Power of Independence" HEICO SPORTIV offers a performance kit for the S60, V60, S90 and V90 T6 models. The kit consists of the e.motion® performance upgrade, the active Quad tailpipe sport exhaust system with flap control, a sports air filter and the new high-performance intercooler.

2020

HEICO SPORTIV is setting sporty design highlights with a body kit for the new Volvo S60 and V60. The package includes a three-part front spoiler and a rear diffuser including tailpipe package or alternatively an active sports exhaust system with flap control.

2021

HEICO SPORTIV is expanding its brand portfolio and for the first time is refining a vehicle from the Volvo electric brand Polestar. Selected identical parts from the range of accessories for Volvo automobiles, such as exclusive VOLUTION® wheels, are adapted for the Polestar 2. Chassis components such as sport suspension and sport springs as well as various refinements for the interior are specially developed.

May 2021

Inspired by the first successful Chinese Mars mission with the "Tianwen-1" spacecraft, HEICO SPORTIV presents the study of a Volvo XC40 Adventure.