The rumors of some weeks in the past are confirmed. Auto motor und Sport journal informs that Mercedes has taken over staff, spare elements, and instruments from the bancrupt restorer Kienle Automobiltechnik in a so-called asset-deal.
Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH has enlargement plans and has thought of taking on the restoration agency Kienle Automobiltechnik GmbH. After negotiations broke down a 12 months in the past, on 1 February 2024, Mercedes concluded an asset deal and can take over staff, spare elements, and instruments belonging to Kienle Automobiltechnik.
The Kienle staff can be built-in into the Mercedes-Benz Basic Heart. The Auto Motor und Sport automobile journal informs that it’s not a query of an entire takeover of Kienle Automobiltechnik however solely of part of the corporate.
Within the first part, the Kienle staff will proceed to work on the present location in Heimerdingen, however sooner or later, Mercedes desires to open one other Basic Heart in Stuttgart along with the prevailing Basic Heart in Fellbach.
Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, stated Mercedes desires to develop the basic automobile enterprise, set new requirements, and generate larger income. Final 12 months, Mercedes built-in the museum, basic automobile assortment, archive, and Basic Heart into one firm.The pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz Heritage desires to construct up experience within the restoration of collector autos – additionally with the assistance of the brand new staff from Kienle.
Mercedes additionally plans to construct its sheet metallic store within the Basic Heart. Breitschwerdt advised Auto Motor und Sport journal that Mercedes “have to be a reference out there. And to do that, we’ve to bundle this very particular know-how again with us.”
Kienle Automobiltechnik stays in chapter proceedings
Mercedes solely took over staff, instruments, and spare elements, however liabilities and dangers remained with the bancrupt firm. Fraud investigations proceed towards Kienle Automobiltechnik, however a lawsuit between Kienle and a buyer has been suspended resulting from Kienle Automobiltechnik getting into insolvency proceedings.
Kienle filed for chapter proceedings on the finish of October 2023, 5 months after the suspected fraud. Former proprietor and CEO Klaus Kienle is not allowed to come back to the headquarters and may not make selections within the firm.
Kienle Automobiltechnik GmbH was based in 1984, has 53 staff, and is world-renowned for restoring Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, Mercedes 600s, and pre-World Conflict II fashions.