Corporate
Emil Frey Group to become General Distributor for Daimler in Serbia and Montenegro
Daimler to restructure business in Serbia and Montenegro Daimler AG and Emil Frey Group, one of Europe’s leading groups in the automotive business signed General Distributor Agreements for Serbia and Montenegro. These agreements will become effective upon approval of the restructuring of Daimler's operations in Serbia by the relevant authorities.
I
n Serbia, Daimler has been selling and servicing Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, vans, trucks and busses together with smart, Fuso and Setra since 1996. Serbia and Montenegro are the only markets in the region where wholesale functions for Daimler vehicles are handled by a Daimler subsidiary, however, the restructuring will have the Emil Frey Group step in and take over these functions. By winning Emil Frey Group as a partner in these markets Daimler consequently pursues its business strategy and successfully implements its anticipated set-up. At the signing ceremony Mr. Peter Alexander Trettin, President and CEO Daimler for Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, said: “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Mercedes-Benz business in Serbia and Montenegro: The Emil Frey Group as one of the leading groups in the automotive business in Europe will become a part of our distribution network. We are very glad that we could win such a professional and experienced partner to further advance our business in these markets. We elaborated this new setup very diligently,
Mr. Peter Alexander Trettin, President and CEO Daimler for Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia (left), Mr. RolfJuergen Seyerle, CEO Mercedes-Benz Srbija i Crna Gora and Mr. Walter Frey, the President and Chairman of the Emil Frey Group
In order to ensure continuity of Daimler’s commitment to this market Mr. Rolf-Juergen Seyerle, current CEO, will remain in his position
striving to optimize the business structure on both wholesale and retail level. Our clear objectives thereby have always been: to anticipate and meet our customers’ needs to the maximum extent and to efficiently exploit available market potentials. We are convinced that the new setup with Emil Frey Group as a partner is a further step forward in the development of this market. Together, we will improve the leading position of our brands in Serbia and Montenegro.” According to Mr. Walter Frey, the President and Chairman of the Emil Frey Group: “Our company has recognized the potential of the automotive business in Serbia and Montenegro. Managing business for Daimler in these markets is a great opportunity for the Emil Frey Group and we are very proud to enter into a long-term partnership with Daimler. We will tap the full potential of the premium market to maintain the position of Mercedes-Benz as the brand of the first choice and to strengthen the sales and service activities in these countries in order to maximize the performance of Mercedes-Benz.” This restructuring will not affect business operations in the country, the most important automobile market in the region. The current distribution structures will remain as they are, so that continuity in contact
with all Mercedes-Benz clients will be ensured. The same applies for vehicle prices. The company will carry on training of its own staff as well as personnel of the authorized MercedesBenz dealer network using state-ofthe-art teaching tools, equipment and methodology in the most advanced training center in the region. As the General Distributor, the Emil Frey Group has a customer-oriented and market-driven approach and a first class customer and dealer care. In order to ensure continuity of Daimler’s commitment to this market Mr. Rolf-Juergen Seyerle, current CEO, will remain in his position. The Emil Frey Group is a family-owned Swiss company, founded in 1924 by the mechanic Emil Frey, with headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. The company is mainly focussed on the automotive business (car wholesale, car retail, car finance, and car and part logistics) and operates in Switzerland, France, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland. The Emil Frey Group also owns various import companies, numerous retail outlets and finance companies in these countries. ■ Further information from Daimler is available at: www.media.daimler.com www.daimler.com
Germany and montenegro: Challenging Business Opportunity
| 21