The trade journal "kfz-betrieb" has honored Jürgen Tauscher (63) with the "Executive Circle Award 2017" for his life's work. After studying business administration in Würzburg, the current CEO of Fahrzeug-Werke Lueg AG began his career in 1977 at Mercedes-Benz in Offenbach with an apprenticeship as a car salesman. In 1986, the business economist from Limburg an der Lahn took over as sales manager at the Mercedes-Benz branch in Duisburg. Two years later, he moved to Neuss in the same position. In the years that followed, he took on various management and project tasks, for example in Saarbücken, Frankfurt and at the Stuttgart headquarters of Daimler AG. In 2000, Tauscher became the top boss of the Mercedes-Benz branch in Wuppertal, and in 2005 Director of Mercedes-Benz Rhine-Ruhr, the world's largest branch of the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer at the time. At the time, the company had over 1,200 employees and an annual turnover of around 900 million euros. At the end of 2008, Jürgen Tauscher not only changed his title - the Director became a member of the Board of Management - he also moved from an automotive group to an automotive trading company. From then on, his employer was and is no longer Daimler AG, but Fahrzeug-Werke Lueg AG.

Car dealership group taken over in very difficult waters

At the beginning of 2008, "kfz-betrieb" published an article about the car dealership group headquartered in Bochum with the following conclusion: "There is a lot of work to be done in the engine room of the multi-brand tanker. The bottom line is that it can be assumed that the automotive general store will once again develop more into a specialist business. Even if brands and locations fall by the wayside." At that time, the winner of the "Executive Circle Award 2017" was not yet responsible for the company's course. At the time, he had no idea that he would soon be handed the helm. He also had no idea what was in store for him from the end of 2008. On November 1, the then 54-year-old was appointed the top helmsman of the dealership group. In the 18 months that followed, CEO Tauscher initiated a process of renewal the likes of which had never been seen before in the company's history. In the midst of the economic crisis, the family business invested heavily in efficient processes and state-of-the-art software, new locations and employee training. The goal was clear: "We want to emerge as a winner from the structural change in the industry," said Jürgen Tauscher in an interview with "kfz-betrieb" at the end of 2010.

He changed and professionalized the management structure, broke new ground that had previously been unknown in the traditional company and completely reorganized the multi-brand company. Difficult and painful steps had to be taken. There was support from the owner families, who saw a perspective for their company and their employees at all times. The shareholders made it possible for the award winner and his management team to set an important course and invest in the future, even in difficult times.

2018: Fahrzeug-Werke Lueg celebrates its 150th birthday

In 2007, before the award winner joined the company, the car dealership group employed 1,752 people at 27 locations. Turnover amounted to 626 million euros. In 2016, the dealership group employed 1,228 people at 32 locations. Turnover amounted to 775 million euros. All this and much more makes it possible for one of Germany's oldest automotive dealerships and service companies to celebrate its 150th birthday next year. If things had gone on until 2017 as they did in 2007, this party would probably have fallen through in 2018.

"kfz-betrieb" editor-in-chief Wolfgang Michel presented the award at the "Executive Circle 2017" evening event at Steinburg Castle in Würzburg, saying: "With the Executive Circle Award 2017, the editorial team is recognizing the outstanding lifetime achievement of a major automotive dealer in Germany. I am delighted that this year's award goes to the 'doer' from the Ruhr region. Congratulations, Jürgen Tauscher!"

Award winner Jürgen Tauscher commented on the award as follows: "I feel very honored. But the fact that we are back on the road to success with Lueg is thanks to my great team. Together we are very successful, and we want to stay that way. After all, Fahrzeug-Werke Lueg AG will be celebrating its 150th birthday next year. We want to celebrate this big anniversary properly in 2018."

"kfz-betrieb" presented the award at the "Executive Circle", a forum for Germany's major car dealers. The "Executive Circle" took place for the third time at Steinburg Castle in Würzburg. The trade medium invites only the top management level of Germany's major car dealers to this still young event format. The aim of this event is to establish a cross-brand exchange and to network highly qualified expertise.

"kfz-betrieb" is the most widely read trade magazine in the automotive industry and has been informing the automotive trade and service sector for over 100 years. "kfz-betrieb" is the official organ of the German automotive trade (ZDK), the professional interest group for around 38,000 car dealerships and workshops. News from the entire automotive industry is available at www.kfz-betrieb.de and in the daily newsletter. The parent company Vogel Business Media is Germany's largest trade media company with 100+ trade journals, 100+ web portals, 100+ business events as well as numerous mobile offerings and international activities. Its headquarters are in Würzburg. The company celebrates its 125th birthday in 2016.