Luxor AB

Luxor AB was a Swedish electronics manufacturer established in Motala in 1923 by Axel Harald Holstensson. The company grew from a small electrical-installation and radio business into a broad home-electronics producer whose products included radios, tape recorders, television sets, stereo systems, and related equipment. Its historical importance rests not only on its role in Swedish consumer electronics but also on its early participation in personal computing through the ABC computer family. Holstensson had worked as an electrician, travel fitter, and foreman at ASEA before moving to Motala in 1918. There he established an electrical shop and installation company. Economic difficulties after the First World War made the original business vulnerable, encouraging him to begin assembling radios. The venture became viable after components were obtained from Germany and the company registered the Luxor Radio Factory in 1923. The Luxor name was chosen during a period of public interest in the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb near Luxor in Egypt. During the postwar decades, Luxor developed a wide consumer-electronics portfolio. It became associated with Swedish-made radios, televisions, audio equipment, tape recorders, and stereo systems, while also developing technical capabilities that extended beyond traditional household products. In 1978, the company introduced the ABC 80, its first home computer. The ABC 800 series followed in 1981, with additional models released in 1983. Production of the ABC line continued until 1986, making Luxor one of the notable Scandinavian participants in the early home-computer market. Nokia became a principal owner in 1984 and acquired Luxor in 1985. Under Nokia, the company's activities were progressively reshaped. Computer production ended in 1986. Television manufacturing at Motala continued until 1992, after which production moved to Finland. Luxor subsequently concentrated on receivers for cable and satellite television. Nokia's broader strategic shift toward mobile telecommunications later led it to dispose of several non-core activities. The satellite-receiver business was sold to the American company Space Craft Inc. in 1998, although manufacturing in Motala continued until 2002 before being transferred to lower-cost production locations. Luxor also had activities connected with automotive audio. Nokia sold the car-speaker and audio-amplifier business in 1997 to Harman International Industries. A cooperation with Autoliv, then owned by Electrolux, resulted in the development of a partnership for Luxor Electronics from 1998 and ultimately the sale of the entire business. Electronics manufacturing for the automotive sector remained in Motala, but those products were no longer sold under the Luxor brand. The Luxor trademark subsequently moved through the retail sector. It was sold to Norwegian retailer Elkjøp ASA; when Dixons Retail acquired Elkjøp in November 1999, the Luxor brand was included in that transaction. In 2006, Turkish electronics manufacturer Vestel acquired the brand. Luxor is now used primarily for televisions marketed in Sweden, rather than representing the vertically integrated Swedish manufacturing company that operated during most of the twentieth century. The brand therefore combines a long Swedish industrial heritage with a contemporary licensed or owned-brand consumer-electronics role within Vestel's portfolio.

Luxor's history began in Motala, Sweden, where Axel Harald Holstensson established an electrical shop and installation business in 1918. Holstensson had trained through practical work rather than formal higher education. He had been employed by ASEA as an electrician, travel fitter, and foreman, and pursued electrical engineering independently. The economic downturn after the First World War placed the Motala business under severe pressure. Radio assembly offered a route into a more scalable activity, and the business sourced components from Germany before registering the Luxor Radio Factory in 1923. The name Luxor reflected contemporary public fascination with Egyptology following the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb near the Egyptian city of Luxor. The company subsequently developed into a significant Swedish producer of consumer electronics. Its range included radios, tape recorders, television sets, stereo systems, and other domestic electronic equipment. The company's manufacturing identity was closely associated with Motala, although its products and later components were sold beyond Sweden. Luxor entered the emerging home-computer market in 1978 with the ABC 80. The computer was followed by the ABC 800 family in 1981, with further releases in 1983. The ABC line remained in production until 1986. This period made Luxor a participant in the early development of personal computing in Scandinavia, alongside its established television and audio businesses. Nokia became a principal owner in 1984 and acquired Luxor in 1985. After the acquisition, Nokia reduced or relocated several of Luxor's activities. Computer production ended in 1986. Television production at Motala continued until 1992, when it was moved to Finland. Luxor then produced receivers for cable and satellite television. Nokia's decision to concentrate increasingly on mobile telephony led to the disposal of other businesses. In 1997, the car-speaker and audio-amplifier operation was sold to Harman International Industries. A cooperation with Autoliv, then part of the Electrolux group, began in 1998 and eventually resulted in Autoliv buying the entire relevant business. Automotive electronics manufacturing continued in Motala, but not under the Luxor name. Also in 1998, Nokia sold the satellite-receiver business to Space Craft Inc. Luxor continued manufacturing satellite receivers in Motala until 2002, when the activity was transferred to lower-cost countries. The brand itself was later sold to Elkjøp ASA, a Norwegian retailer. Dixons Retail acquired Elkjøp in November 1999 and thereby also acquired the Luxor trademark. In 2006, Vestel acquired the brand. The modern Luxor identity is consequently different from the original company. Rather than denoting a broad Swedish electronics manufacturer with its own computer, audio, television, and receiver production, Luxor is now principally a brand used by Vestel for televisions sold in the Swedish market. The name retains historical associations with Swedish consumer-electronics manufacturing and the ABC computer line, while its current commercial use is narrower and tied to Vestel's television operations.

1. 2006Vestel acquired the brand

   Vestel acquired the Luxor trademark and later used it for televisions sold in Sweden.

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2. 2002Satellite-receiver manufacturing moved to lower-cost countries

   Manufacturing of satellite receivers was transferred away from Motala.

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3. 1999Luxor entered Dixons Retail's ownership chain

   Dixons Retail acquired Elkjøp, including the Luxor brand.

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4. 1998Satellite-receiver business sold

   Nokia sold the satellite-receiver business to Space Craft Inc.

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5. 1997Automotive audio business sold to Harman

   Nokia sold Luxor's car-speaker and audio-amplifier business to Harman International Industries.

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6. 1992Television production left Motala

   Television manufacturing in Motala ended and production moved to Finland.

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7. 1986ABC computer production ended

   Production of the ABC computer line was terminated.

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8. 1985Nokia acquired Luxor

   Luxor became part of Nokia.

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9. 1984Nokia became a principal owner

   Nokia took a principal ownership position in Luxor.

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10. 1983Additional ABC computer releases

    New ABC computer releases appeared as the series continued.

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11. 1981ABC 800 series introduced

    Luxor expanded its computer range with the ABC 800 series.

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12. 1978ABC 80 launched

    Luxor introduced its first home computer, the ABC 80.

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13. 1923Luxor Radio Factory was registered

    Holstensson registered the Luxor Radio Factory after turning to radio production during a difficult economic period.

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14. 1918Holstensson established an electrical business in Motala

    Axel Harald Holstensson moved to Motala and began operating an electrical shop and installation company, the precursor to Luxor's radio manufacturing business.

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Historically, Luxor was positioned as a Swedish manufacturer of practical, mass-market home electronics with capabilities spanning broadcast reception, audio, television, and personal computing. In its current form, the name functions primarily as a Swedish-market television brand owned by Vestel.

• RadiosHome electronics1923

  Radio production was the activity that transformed Holstensson's financially pressured electrical business into the Luxor Radio Factory. Luxor's early identity was therefore strongly linked to the manufacture of radio receivers for the Swedish consumer market.

• Television setsConsumer electronics

  Television sets became one of Luxor's principal product categories. Production was historically based in Motala before moving to Finland in 1992. Under current ownership, the Luxor name is used primarily on televisions sold in Sweden.

• Tape recordersAudio electronics

  Luxor manufactured tape recorders as part of its wider audio and household-electronics range. These products belong to the brand's historical Swedish manufacturing period and are no longer identified as a current core offering.

• Stereo systemsAudio electronics

  Stereo systems formed part of Luxor's postwar consumer-electronics portfolio, extending the brand from radio reception into home audio. The range contributed to Luxor's reputation as a broad Swedish home-electronics manufacturer.

• ABC 80Home computer1978

  The ABC 80 was Luxor's first home computer, introduced in 1978. It marked the company's entry into personal computing and preceded the ABC 800 family.

• ABC 800 seriesHome computer1981

  Introduced in 1981, the ABC 800 series expanded Luxor's early-computing range. Further releases appeared in 1983, and the ABC line remained in production until computer manufacturing ended in 1986.

• Cable and satellite television receiversBroadcast-reception equipment

  After computer production ended and television manufacturing moved, Luxor produced receivers for cable and satellite television. Nokia sold the satellite-receiver business in 1998, while manufacturing continued in Motala until 2002.

• Automotive speakers and audio amplifiersAutomotive electronics

  Luxor's automotive-electronics activities included car speakers and audio amplifiers. Nokia sold this business to Harman in 1997, and related automotive manufacturing later continued in Motala without the Luxor brand.

• 2006Vestel acquired the Luxor brandM&A

  The trademark had previously moved from Nokia to Elkjøp and then into Dixons Retail's ownership chain.

  What changed. Turkish electronics manufacturer Vestel acquired the Luxor brand.

  Aftermath. Luxor became primarily a television brand used in the Swedish market rather than a standalone Swedish electronics manufacturer.

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• 1998Satellite-receiver business sold to Space CraftM&A

  Nokia was reducing non-core businesses while concentrating on mobile telephony.

  What changed. Nokia sold the satellite-receiver business to American company Space Craft Inc.

  Aftermath. Receiver manufacturing continued in Motala until 2002, when it was transferred to lower-cost countries.

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• 1997Automotive audio business sold to HarmanM&A

  Nokia was streamlining its activities and selling businesses outside its growing mobile-telecommunications focus.

  What changed. The car-speaker and audio-amplifier business was sold to Harman International Industries.

  Aftermath. Automotive electronics manufacturing remained in Motala, but it was no longer conducted under the Luxor brand.

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• 1992Television manufacturing was moved to FinlandStrategy

  Luxor had manufactured televisions in Motala as part of its historical Swedish electronics operations.

  What changed. Television production in Motala ended and was transferred to Finland.

  Aftermath. The Motala site continued with other electronics activities, including satellite-receiver production for a period.

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• 1986Computer production was discontinuedStrategy

  Luxor had introduced the ABC 80 in 1978 and the ABC 800 series in 1981.

  What changed. The ABC computer line was terminated after the releases of the early 1980s.

  Aftermath. Luxor's subsequent activities centered more heavily on television and cable- and satellite-reception equipment.

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• 1985Nokia acquired LuxorM&A

  Nokia had become a principal owner of Luxor in 1984.

  What changed. Nokia completed the acquisition of Luxor.

  Aftermath. Computer production was discontinued in 1986, and later television manufacturing was moved from Motala to Finland.

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• 1984Nokia took a principal ownership positionM&A

  Luxor had developed from a Swedish home-electronics producer into a company with television, audio, and computer activities.

  What changed. Nokia became a principal owner before acquiring the company outright the following year.

  Aftermath. Luxor's operations subsequently became subject to Nokia's portfolio rationalization and increasing focus on mobile telecommunications.

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• 2006Vestel acquired the Luxor brand

  Turkish electronics manufacturer Vestel acquired the Luxor trademark, which is now used for televisions sold in Sweden.

  M&A
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• 2002Luxor brand manufacturing was transferred to lower-cost countries

  Manufacturing of satellite receivers was transferred from Motala to lower-cost production locations.

  Other
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• 1999Dixons Retail acquired Elkjøp and the Luxor brand

  Dixons Retail's acquisition of Elkjøp included the Luxor brand, moving the trademark further into a retail-controlled ownership structure.

  M&A
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• 1998Nokia sold the satellite-receiver business

  Nokia sold Luxor's satellite-receiver business to Space Craft Inc.; manufacturing in Motala continued for several years afterward.

  M&A
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• 1997Nokia sold Luxor automotive audio operations

  Nokia sold the car-speaker and audio-amplifier business associated with Luxor to Harman International Industries.

  M&A
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• 1992Television production moved from Motala to Finland

  Luxor's television production in Motala ended and manufacturing was transferred to Finland.

  Other
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• 1986Luxor computer production ended

  Production of the ABC computer family was discontinued after the ABC 80 and ABC 800 generations.

  Product generation
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• 1985Nokia acquired Luxor

  Nokia completed its acquisition of Luxor, beginning a period in which the company's product portfolio was reorganized around Nokia's broader strategic priorities.

  M&A
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• 1984Nokia became a principal owner of Luxor

  Nokia became a principal owner of the Swedish electronics company as Luxor expanded beyond traditional consumer products.

  M&A
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1. Luxor AB