Schmidt + Koch

Schmidt + Koch is a German automotive dealership group headquartered in Bremen. Founded in 1926 by the Bremen merchant Waldemar Koch, the company began as a bicycle and motorcycle shop that gradually expanded into automobile sales and service. Over the decades it grew into one of Northwest Germany's larger multi-brand car retail operations, representing Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, Škoda, Seat, Cupra, Porsche and Ford. The company operates roughly 20 locations across Bremen, Bremerhaven, Delmenhorst, Oldenburg, Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Achim, Rotenburg, Wilhelmshaven, Jever and Leer. In addition to new and used vehicle sales, Schmidt + Koch offers workshop services, financing, insurance and fleet management. It was converted into a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) in 1972, though its shares are not publicly traded. The group sold nearly 17,000 cars in 2000. It remains a family-influenced, regionally focused dealership group with a long-standing community engagement programme, including the Schmidt + Koch Cup football tournament and support for social projects such as Lebenshilfe.

Schmidt + Koch traces its origins to 1926, when the Bremen merchant Waldemar Koch bought into the existing firm Schmidt, which at the time operated a bicycle shop but already offered motorcycles and automobiles. Koch took over the branch management in Bremen and soon founded the Fahrzeughaus Schmidt + Koch together with his partner J. Wilhelm Schmidt. In 1934 Koch became sole owner and began expanding the business. After the Second World War, he secured wholesale agreements first with Volkswagen and later with Porsche and Audi. Over the following decades the company expanded to as many as 20 locations across Northwest Germany. In 1972 the business was converted into a stock corporation, the Bremer Fahrzeughaus Schmidt + Koch Aktiengesellschaft, though its shares are not publicly listed. By 2000 the group was selling nearly 17,000 cars annually. Today Schmidt + Koch operates around 20 sites in cities including Bremen, Bremerhaven, Delmenhorst, Oldenburg, Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Achim, Rotenburg, Wilhelmshaven, Jever and Leer, representing Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, Škoda, Seat, Cupra, Porsche and Ford. The company also provides maintenance, repairs, financing, insurance and fleet management services. It has a history of social and charitable engagement, supporting projects such as Lebenshilfe and sponsoring the regional Schmidt + Koch Cup football tournament. In 2006 IG Metall raised allegations that the company pressured employees into unpaid overtime and forgoing holiday.

• 2006

  IG Metall raises allegations of unpaid overtime and pressure on employees.

• 2000

  The group sells nearly 17,000 cars.

• 1972

  The company is converted into a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft).

• 1934

  Koch becomes sole owner and begins expanding the business.

• 1926

  Waldemar Koch buys into the existing Schmidt firm in Bremen, which operated a bicycle shop and sold motorcycles and automobiles.

Regional multi-brand automotive dealership group in Northwest Germany, emphasising quality, reliability and passion for automobiles since 1926.

• Volkswagen new and used vehicles

• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

• Audi new and used vehicles

• Škoda new and used vehicles

• Seat new and used vehicles

• Cupra new and used vehicles

• Porsche new and used vehicles

• Ford new and used vehicles

• Workshop services, financing, insurance, fleet management

1. 1Autohaus Schmidt + Koch – Official Websiteschmidt-und-koch.de
2. 2Über Uns | Autohaus Schmidt + Kochschmidt-und-koch.de
3. 3Schmidt + Koch – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
4. 4Schmidt + Koch – Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Autohaus Schmidt + Koch | Vom Pflasterstein zum Flüsterbetonschmidt-und-koch.de
6. 6Autohaus Schmidt + Koch | Die Geschichte des VW Bullischmidt-und-koch.de