Burkhard Weller: "We will be the largest MG dealer in Germany"
In the AUTOHAUS interview, Burkhard Weller explains why the Weller Group is increasingly relying on Chinese suppliers such as MG Motor and what role he generally expects the newcomers from the Far East to play in Germany.
23.01.2024 Author: Ralf Padrtka autohaus
AH: Mr. Weller, in the lead-up to this interview you said that the German automotive industry is currently dismantling itself. What do you mean by that?
Burkhard Weller: In my opinion, manufacturers/importers and retailers need to work more closely together. The associations VDA, VDIK and ZDK act like competitors. If we don't speak a common language when it comes to politics, then the ideologues from the public transport and bicycle camp will gain ground. Mobility is not about either/or, but about both/and. In a large country like ours, the car still has a great right to exist.
AH: How do you rate the performance of the new ZDK leadership so far?
B. Weller: What is positive is that President Arne Joswig is much more visible than his predecessor. I would like to highlight Managing Director Dr. Kurt-Christian Scheel, he is a great asset to our industry. But there is still a lot to do. The best example was the last car summit in the Chancellery - again without the ZDK. Our representatives have to push in and bang on the table: It's not about 600,000 jobs in the German auto industry, but about 1.2 million.
AH: The ZDK seems more present in Berlin and Brussels than before. Isn’t that progress?
B. Weller: Opening the Brussels representative office is certainly the right step because the laws are made there. The same applies to the new offices on Gendarmenmarkt, which pave the way for a headquarters in Berlin. But: Despite these measures and the better staffing, the small traders are still there. You have to imagine this: Since the 1950s, the Federal Minister of Transport has been invited to stick together light test stickers. I would discuss other issues with the Transport Minister.
AH: Last year you ran for the highest ZDK office, but lost out to Arne Joswig. In retrospect, are you glad that you didn't become association president?
B. Weller: You can't say that. I accept the democratic choice. What you can say: I would radically restructure the association and tackle the encrusted structures. During my brief insight into the interior of the association with the regional associations, motor vehicle guilds, manufacturer associations, upper and lower departments, it became clear to me: There is far too much petty politics going on. Not meant to be disrespectful: a gas station is run differently than a car dealership.
#dealership #automotive #retail #mg #wellergruppe
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