Autohaus Köhler opens new location in Bad Dürkheim – anniversary!

Autohaus Köhler opens new location in Bad Dürkheim – anniversary!

The Köhler car dealership opened a new location in Bad Dürkheim today. The new premises on Mannheimer Straße extend over almost 3,000 square meters and therefore offer enough space for the wide range of vehicles. The move comes after a customs raid on the former Bernstein car dealership, which had been empty for six months. These interim events cast a shadow over the opening of the anniversary year in which Auto Köhler proudly celebrates 100 years of company history. Among the most prominent faces at the opening are Ulrich Köhler and Laura Heberlein, who welcome guests with a diverse offering.

But what kind of bizarre surroundings was that? In April there was a major search at the Bernstein car dealership by customs investigators. Around 50 vehicles were confiscated - the company then had to close and remained empty. The European Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed the arrest of a car dealer abroad who was involved in the machinations of a Europe-wide scrap car trade. This raid, codenamed “Nimmersatt,” targets a criminal network that smuggles badly damaged cars from the United States to Europe. Suspects from ten countries, including Lithuania and Romania, are involved in investigations.

Criminal activities in the automotive sector

The background is frightening: The vehicles sold by this gang were often only cosmetically repaired and posed a safety risk. As a result, defective vehicles were offered that were possibly sold without functioning airbags. In total, more than 16,500 vehicles worth 144 million euros are said to have been sold in Germany from 2020 to date. The damage caused in taxes and customs duties amounts to an astonishing 31 million euros. Cash and luxury items worth over 500,000 euros were seized during the raids, as well as a large number of vehicles, which now face a fate as legal evidence.

But what do you have to consider if you want to gain a foothold in the automotive industry yourself? Establishing a car dealership not only requires specialist knowledge in the automotive sector, but also entrepreneurial know-how. Solid planning is essential: from choosing the legal form to selecting the location to securing financial resources. Registration with the trade office and possible entries in the commercial register are basic requirements. Membership in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry or Chamber of Crafts is also mandatory.

The success of a car dealership depends heavily on a well-thought-out market analysis and an effective marketing concept. This also includes consideration of the target group and competitor analysis. Marketing strategies like social media and local advertising can determine whether the next neighborhood guy buys his new car there.

While recent events in the background vividly illustrate the challenges facing the industry, the opening of the Köhler car dealership remains a ray of hope and an example of entrepreneurial courage in difficult times. We are excited to see how the next chapters of the story surrounding this new location will develop - perhaps some news about the ongoing investigations will have something to do with it. After all, anything is possible in the automotive sector!

For further details on the opening and background of the customs investigation, you can read the reports on Rhine Palatinate, SWR and firma.de read up.