Westfalia is a leading manufacturer of trailer hitches for cars and light commercial vehicles.

[2][3] Westfalia traces its founding back to Johann Bernard Knöbel, who opened a blacksmith shop in Wiedenbrück on October 1, 1844.

In the 1920s he start making a line of automobile products, including trailers, truck body, coachbuilding and taxi cab conversions.

Franz Knöbel patented the ball head-socket joint trailer hitch invention on March 14, 1934.

As cars and truck power increased Westfalia built motorhomes and camping trailers.

In 1999, Westfalia-Werke divided into three divisions: [3] In 2002, Westfalia introduced an electrically swiveling trailer hitch.