• Daimler Truck Own Retail plans to take over the Passau Sperrwies site of Josef Paul GmbH & Co. KG in April 2026.
• The European Own Retail network is planned to expand by more than 60% by 2030.
• The new location will provide sales and service for Mercedes-Benz and FUSO trucks, as well as services for Mercedes-Benz and Setra buses, Mercedes-Benz vans, passenger cars, and camper vans.
• Its strategic location ensures excellent connections to regional transport and logistics networks.
• Stina Fagerman, Head of Marketing, Sales and Services Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “The truck business is characterized by high complexity, intensive consulting requirements, and strong customer relationships. Through our company-owned dealerships and sites, we maintain close dialogue with our customers and continuously develop products and services. This is why we are convinced that our Own Retail operations will remain crucial to our success in the future. In just the past two years, we have opened eight new commercial vehicle centers in Europe, including three in Germany.”

Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Passau – Customer focus is a top priority for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and a cornerstone of the business strategy. Own Retail plays a key role due to the direct interaction between company and customers. Currently with 36 sites across Europe, Mercedes-Benz Trucks plans to expand its Own Retail network by more than 60% by 2030. Investments will help increase the service share and thus the resilience of Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

In addition to building new sites, the focus is also on acquiring existing businesses: Daimler Truck plans to take over the Passau Sperrwies site of Josef Paul GmbH & Co. KG in April 2026, subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities. The company plans to offer sales and service for Mercedes-Benz and FUSO trucks, service for Mercedes-Benz and Setra buses, and service for Mercedes-Benz vans, passenger cars, and camper vans.

Stina Fagerman, Head of Marketing, Sales and Services Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “The truck business is characterized by high complexity, intensive consulting requirements, and strong customer relationships. Through our company-owned dealerships and sites, we maintain close dialogue with our customers and continuously develop products and services. This is why we are convinced that our Own Retail operations will remain crucial to our success in the future. In just the past two years, we have opened eight new commercial vehicle centers in Europe, including three in Germany.”

Volker Hüntrup, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Own Retail, Europe: “In addition to acquisitions in our core European markets such as France, we are continuing to invest in Germany. We celebrated the expansion of our Würzburg site with our customers in May last year, opened a new facility in Aschheim near Munich in September, and are currently working on expanding our Hamburg commercial vehicle center. Our manufacturer-owned retail expansion is ongoing: we have recently decided to build a new workshop in Wörth am Rhein, close to our plant, will soon launch new-build projects in Koblenz and Nuremberg, and are exploring additional investment options.”

Daimler Truck expands market presence with Own Retail site in Passau

The future Daimler Truck commercial vehicle center in Passau will be an ideal addition to the existing Own Retail network. The new site for trucks (sales and service) and for buses, vans, and passenger cars (service) is tailored to the needs of commercial and fleet customers in Lower Bavaria and is designed from the outset for vehicles using alternative drive technologies.

Around 150 of the site’s current employees will transfer to Daimler Truck under a “company transfer” arrangement, while the remaining employees will continue to work for Josef Paul GmbH & Co. KG at its Passau and Vilshofen an der Donau locations.

Bernhard Wasner, CEO of Paul Group: “Our priority has always been to strengthen the future viability of the Paul companies while ensuring reliability for our employees and customers. This step provides clarity, stability, and new perspectives at all locations. It allows us to focus even more strongly on our core competencies and growth areas, while transferring the service and sales site to Daimler Truck in a spirit of partnership. I am convinced that this decision is not a loss but a gain in focus, strength, and strategic prowess. We are creating space for innovation and further development — and that’s exactly what has made our companies successful for decades.”

The acquired site stands out for its outstanding strategic location. Situated near key transport routes, it is well connected to the regional transport and logistics network, and for years has been one of the most high-performing locations in the region’s commercial vehicle sector. For Daimler Truck Own Retail, the site serves as a perfect link between existing branches and enables even closer support for customers in regional, national, and international fleet and transport operations.

Daimler Truck and the Paul Group

Daimler Truck and the Paul Group have enjoyed a close, trusted, and successful partnership for many years. Both companies have repeatedly demonstrated their shared pursuit of high service quality, technological expertise, and consistent customer focus.

This organizational decision ensures that the partnership will continue — but with a clear, forward-looking division of roles:

• Daimler Truck Own Retail will take over the retail activities at the Passau site and fully integrate them into its existing network, creating a cohesive, efficient, and brand-typical service network.
• Josef Paul GmbH & Co. KG will retain sales responsibility for passenger cars and vans at the Passau site. The sister company, Paul Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH, based in Albersdorf near Vilshofen an der Donau, will remain unaffected. As an internationally active special vehicle builder, it ranks among Europe’s leading technology providers and will remain a key strategic partner for Daimler Truck in the future.

This model creates an optimal cooperation structure, combining a strong, regionally anchored Own Retail network with the PAUL Group’s technical special expertise on site. Customers benefit from clear responsibilities, short distances, and the blend of series and special vehicle expertise.

For more information about Josef Paul GmbH & Co. KG: Paul Group