Blog

Milestone Achievement: The Journey to 500 Drop-Off Branches

4 December 2024

We're excited to share that AUTO1 Group has opened our 500th drop-off branch of wirkaufendeinauto.de and its sister brands in Jena, Germany. This achievement marks a major step forward in our mission to provide a seamless car-selling experience for our customers as we continue to accelerate the roll-out of purchasing branch locations across Europe. With a network spanning nine countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, and Portugal, this expansion not only strengthens our presence but also brings us closer to our customers, offering them greater convenience and accessibility.

Daniel Desler, Director Purchasing Germany, highlights the importance of this milestone for customers in Germany and across Europe. “The opening of the 500th branch in Europe and the 150th in Germany marks an important milestone for the brand and brings us one step closer to being as close as possible to our customers.” The additional branches allow customers to benefit from shorter journey times to access our services, making the car-selling process even more convenient.

Berkan Limon, our SVP Purchasing, couldn't be prouder of the team's efforts. “I am proud of our teams for executing our network expansion plan so ambitiously and driving double-digit branch growth compared to the beginning of the year,” he shares. “We are excited about the potential ahead of us to further expand our footprint as we continue to offer our customers great prices for their used cars at maximum convenience.”

Another key figure behind the expansion is Steven Stier, our Head of Branch Real Estate Europe, who has been instrumental in the strategic planning and execution of our branch expansion. His role involves expanding our network, driving his team to reach record-breaking targets, and ensuring that each branch operates with maximum efficiency.

The journey to this achievement has been dynamic, filled with both challenges and opportunities for growth. Steven describes the process as being comparable to a rollercoaster, with daily challenges that require quick learning and adaptation. "Building teams and managing expectations in different markets is crucial," he explains. This strategy involves understanding the unique dynamics of each region and tailoring our approach to meet local needs while staying true to our overarching goals. "Focusing on people and their challenges is the way of leadership and key to our success," he adds. By prioritizing the development and well-being of our team members, we've fostered a culture of resilience and collaboration, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Steven also highlights the collaborative spirit that has fueled this rapid expansion. "Every member plays a vital role in achieving high-speed growth. The way we solve problems and find solutions for different challenges is something I am very proud of and will continue to focus on moving forward," he shares. As we continue to expand our branch network, ensuring that all employees are supported and equipped with the resources they need remains a top priority.

Looking ahead, we remain focused on growth and innovation and are excited to continue transforming the automotive landscape. “We plan to continue our growth in 2025 with additional branch openings and look forward to continuing to enable our customers to sell their used cars quickly and easily,” adds Daniel Desler.

This achievement is a proud moment for everyone at AUTO1 Group, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated employees, loyal customers, and trusted partners who have been integral to our success. Our plans include further expansion and enhancing our digital offerings to provide the best possible service to our customers. Stay connected with us on social media for the latest news and updates, and visit our careers page for open roles.