Automobiles "made in Hessen" have enjoyed an excellent international reputation for many years. Recognizing early on the potential of Germany's most centrally-located state, industry pioneers such as Adam Opel established Hessen as the cornerstone of a flourishing industry with a high level of innovation.
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Hessen - your engine for success
With around 44,000 employees and an annual turnover of 21.1 billion Euros in 2023, the automotive sector is one of the key industries in Hessen. Certainly, the state's most well-known carmaker is Opel in Rüsselsheim, which has one of the world's most cutting edge production facilities. In the Kassel area in the north of Hessen, both Daimler and Volkswagen have production facilities.
But it's not just the large automakers Opel, Volkswagen, and Daimler that are active in Hessen – many suppliers and engineering services providers are, too. Well-known names include Continental, EDAG Engineering, Federal-Mogul/Tenneco, Fritz Winter, GKN Driveline, Goodyear Dunlop and Pirelli.
The export ratio for the automotive industry in 2023 was 68.2 percent, with foreign sales amounting to 14.4 billion Euros. Direct foreign investment in the automotive industry in Hessen was 1.5 billion Euros at the end of 2021.
Success story
The Koi in the Shark Tank
A Hessian-Japanese success story
How did a global player from Japan find a home away from home in Hessen? Donald Schaffer, Director Sales & Marketing Europe and Head of Dexerials’ Automotive Solution Business Unit Europe, talks to us about finding the right location, his experience in Frankfurt and coping with the coronavirus pandemic.
Your consultants
You would like to know more about your opportunities in Hessen? Speak to us!
Dr. David Eckensberger
Head of Department International Affairs
Jonas Winkler
Director Location Marketing & Investor Services
Andreas Damrau
Director Investor Services | RCEP Area