If there ever was an individual who embodies not only the historical vehicle utilitarian movement, but has also had a lasting impact on motoring evolution and heritage, it would be Konrad Auwärter. The Auwärter family first became involved in the production of agricultural equipment, followed in 1935 by the building of bus and truck bodies. The NEOPLAN name was introduced in 1953 and rapidly became recognised as a premium brand with a proud history of quality and innovation.
In 1955, Mr. Auwärter joined the family business and it bears mention that pursuant to his engineering studies in the field of ‘Vehicle Body Construction and Automotive Design’, his graduation thesis on the double decker bus as part of a scheduled service fleet laid the foundation for the company’s extensive and successful range of double decker buses for the years to come.
Over the years, many groundbreaking technologies can be attributed to NEOPLAN, including low-floor buses as well as high-deck and integral body designs. According to Rudi Kuchta of MAN Truck and Bus, “the entire bus and coach industry has benefited from the impetus provided by NEOPLAN. It’s no accident that the brand is synonymous with innovation, exclusivity and stylish design”. Such was the impact of Mr. Auwärter that to mark both his 85th birthday and the 90th Anniversary of the company that founded NEOPLAN (Gottlob Auwärter GmbH & Co. KG), NEOPLAN created a limited edition Skyliner bus “Auwärter Edition” with numerous features including the classic “stainless steel plank” design with the stylized ‘Auwärter Swing arm’, which adorned not only the front masks but also the traditional factory buildings and the vehicles produced there. It bears mention that this design still exists at the ‘Automobil-Park Auwärter’ in Pilsting, Germany, as further described below.
Mr. Auwärter’s name however is not only synonymous with innovation and technology, but also for his long and unwavering support for bus and coach enthusiasts. According to Timo Vuortio, head of the FIVA Utilitarian Commission, "last year, we were delighted to have Konrad as one of us organising FIVA's World Event for buses in the German town of Netphen, which was celebrating the creation of the world's first scheduled bus service 130 years ago”. Vuortio, went on to state that “with regard to legacy, from Konrad's passion a museum in Pilsing, Germany, Automobil-Park Auwärter and a dedicated website – www.historische-busse.de – have grown. Under the banner, "We Love Vintage Buses", the website in particular provides a major resource and database for anyone wishing to learn more about the history and heritage of passenger carrying vehicles." It bears mention that the Automobil-Park Auwärter museum charts not only the story of the Auwärter family legacy, but also NEOPLAN Buses and the story of coachbuilding in general. There are also separate sections for Reuter and Porsche.
Mr. Auwärter was presented with the “Spirit of FIVA” award at a gala dinner held for members of the German bus and coach industry attending the recent Stuttgart Retro Classics exhibition (19-22 February 2026). The presentation of the of the “Spirt of FIVA” Award to Konrad Auwärter celebrates not only the legacy of the technical and motoring heritage that he not only helped create, but now works so hard to preserve — and preserving that story is core to FIVA’s mission.