Mercedes-Benz is weighing the sale of its German showrooms, according to reports from TASS citing Bild. The automaker is prepared to enter negotiations with new operators as part of a potential restructuring strategy. [Bild via TASS]
What is being discussed are about 80 car dealerships scattered across urban centers and rural areas, with a branch office at the headquarters in Stuttgart also identified as a potential asset for sale. The company stressed that none of these locations would be closed, and it reiterated that no financial distress is behind the move. [Bild via TASS]
For any prospective buyer, the expectation is clear: the investment must extend to the development of the acquired dealership network. Mercedes-Benz also noted that a single buyer purchasing all dealerships is not on the table. [Bild via TASS]
In related news, there have been earlier reports about a Mercedes-Benz facility in the Moscow region shifting toward production for a Chinese brand. The topic has drawn attention as part of broader discussions about European and global manufacturing footprints. [Source: TASS via Bild]
The Mercedes-Benz plant located in the Esipovo industrial park near Moscow commenced operations in the spring of 2019. Its outlined production capacity aimed at full-cycle manufacturing sits in the range of roughly 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles per year. [TASS via Bild]
Ownership of the plant has shifted hands, with Avtodom, a major dealer holding company, becoming the owner in April 2023. The sale price was not disclosed, but the German parent company retains a potential option to repurchase shares as part of the agreement. [Avtodom press materials via TASS]
Earlier reports also mentioned a request from Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office for the court to convert shares held by Rolf JSC into state income, a move that underscores ongoing legal and fiscal considerations surrounding assets in the region. [Prosecutor General’s Office references via TASS]
Taken together, these developments illustrate a broader pattern of strategic reviews and asset reallocation within the European automotive sector, reflecting shifting market conditions, regulatory environments, and the evolving landscape of cross-border manufacturing and distribution. Observers note that any sale would likely be accompanied by ongoing commitments to service networks, warranty obligations, and long-term brand strategy in the German market and beyond. [Industry observers via TASS]