Surcharge for trading partners: First Mercedes branch sold

The sale of the group’s own car dealerships from Mercedes-Benz in Germany has started. “With the signing of the contracts for the sale of the branch in Neu-Ulm, the starting signal for the planned implementation has now taken place,” said the company.

The Sternen Group GmbH was awarded around 200 employees for the car dealership. The company is already operating 15 Mercedes locations in southern Germany and has a long-term concept for Neu-Ulm. “Mercedes-Benz is also in very constructive conversations with potential buyers for other locations.”

Redemption should make sales future -proof

At the beginning of 2024 it became known that the Stuttgart car manufacturer is considering selling his car dealerships. An examination showed that a sale made sense, the company had announced. This is intended to make sales sustainable.

Possible buyers would therefore have to meet several requirements – including trade expertise, entrepreneurial competence, economic strength, willingness to invest and open -mindedness towards employee representatives. Should not be sold to pure financial investors.

Protests of the employees

According to previous information from Mercedes-Benz, around 8,000 people in Germany who are employed in around 80 companies are affected. Overall manager Ergun Lümali had initially criticized the step after becoming known in sharp words and announced resistance. The plans are a “slap in the face”.

After protests by the employees, Mercedes announced an agreement with the general works council to essential cornerstones for possible operating transitions to potential purchasers last summer.