Neuruppin's car workshop: Successful despite the crisis-a role model for everyone!

Neuruppin's car workshop: Successful despite the crisis-a role model for everyone!

Norman Dittmann opened a motor vehicle workshop in Neuruppin two years ago, while in many industries there are the agenda. On this sunny day on June 1, 2025, a gear is changed on a Mercedes. The vehicle's owner is visibly satisfied with the repair carried out. Dittmann employs four people, and again and again he emphasizes that it is important for him to work with "dirty hands". This hand-on mentality is characteristic of many founders in the vehicle sector who rely on quality and customer satisfaction, as reports [zdf] (https://www.zdf.de/video/reportage/zdf-reportage-104/Deutschland-pack-an-100).

The market for car repair services is stable and attractive. In Germany there are over 47 million approved motor vehicles, which maintains the demand for maintenance and repair services. The utilization of the workshops, for example, was 84 percent in January 2023. The variety of services in workshops has also proven itself, starting at brand workshops up to free companies that are very popular with customers. Dittmann also knows how important the choice of location and an excellent range of services are in order to be successful in the highly competitive market. Starthilfhilfe-consulting emphasizes that digitization and environmentally friendly practices are increasingly gaining importance.

The advantages of the four-day week

A current trend in the industry is the introduction of a four-day week that has already ensured productivity and employee satisfaction from the measurement technology manufacturer Wenzel. The fitters now work nine hours a day, and the model has proven to be extremely positive. Dittmann is also thinking about flexible working time models because he prioritizes the satisfaction of his employees. The LA Linea workshop in Cologne even particularly looks for employees who want to work in a flexible model of 32+1 hours a week. Alternatively, there is also the possibility of a five-day week with a higher content. This shows that the trend towards satisfied employees also arrives in the vehicle industry, as [la linea] (https://www.lalinea.de/ueber-uns/neuke/neu--4-tage-tage-fuer-fuer-werkstart-oller-lohn equalization-63) reports.

founder in the car sector can fall back on various financing options, be it through microd loans or the KfW start money, which can include up to 125,000 euros without equity. Tax aspects and compliance with the master's obligation are also important for the establishment of a workshop, which underlines how important solid planning is. Founders receive support from advisory services that help you create your business plan and master bureaucratic challenges.

insights into the industry

The entry into the car industry is attractive for many, even in challenging times. Examples such as the recent foundation of a cheese factory in Munich from three family fathers show that the entrepreneurial spirit in Germany is blooming. Schliessungs- GmbH in Mühlhausen also shines with a large order from the USA for rail vehicle components, which ensures 200 jobs. And Spaceoptix in Jena benefits from the boom in European satellite technology and plans further growth. These positive examples show that people actively act in difficult times and break new ground, such as ZDF.