Automobile industry Hessen
© Oliver Zarski
Automotive Industry

Hessen - Your Engine For Success

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.

With around 54,000 employees and an annual turnover of 22 billion Euros, 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, 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 Bosch, Continental, EDAG Engineering, and Segula Technologies.

The export ratio for the automotive industry was 69 percent in 2018, with foreign sales amounting to EUR 15.3 billion. Direct foreign investment in the automotive industry in Hessen was a hefty EUR 2.0 billion at the end of 2017.

Success Story

Donald Schaffer Dexerials
© Christof Mattes

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.

Read the Story

Your Consultants

You would like to know more about your opportunities in Hessen? Speak to us!

Dr. David Eckensberger

Dr. David Eckensberger

Head of Department International Affairs

Division

International Affairs

+49 611 95017 8326

Jonas Winkler

Jonas Winkler

Director Location Marketing & Investor Services

Division

International Affairs

+49 611 95017 8641

Andreas Damrau

Andreas Damrau

Director Investor Services | RCEP Area

Division

International Affairs

+49 611 95017 8346