Online automotive marketplace: Fiege invests in eCommerce start-up Retromotion

Retromotion-Gründer Artur Oswald
Artur Oswald, founder and CEO of Retromotion, announces the strategic partnership with FIEGE. (Foto: Retromotion)

Stuttgart-based business provides platform for automotive accessories and spare parts.

Greven/ Stuttgart, 3 May 2021 – Fiege has acquired a stake in the eCommerce start-up, Retromotion. The young Stuttgart-based business distributes spare parts and accessories for the automotive segment via its own online shop. Their platform lets customers e-tail their merchandise also through online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, Check24, or Tyre24. With this set-up, Retromotion implements a convenient, easy-to-use e-tailing solution for the industry. Additional investors also include renowned suppliers from the automotive segment.

“Developing online operations as an alternative sales channel is a highly interesting option for many of our suppliers”, says Retromotion founder, Artur Oswald. As a shop specialising in spare parts for vintage vehicles and modern classics, the start-up helps its automotive-sector clientele to distribute their merchandise directly to end customers. The Retromotion team also taps into the relevant online marketplaces for this. Quality logistical handling is the decisive criterion when it comes to the visibility and ranking on platforms. Oswald: “With Fiege as a leading European omnichannel provider we now have a strategic partner by our side that paves the way for completely new possibilities for our growth in this segment.”

Joachim Stern, Managing Director Industry & Tires at Fiege, emphasises the synergies that come with the investment: “The technical solutions that Retromotion has makes them a problem-solver for the automotive scene.” For this reason alone, the start-up carries enormous potential in becoming a crucial platform integrator for the industry clients of the logistics company. After all, both demand for connecting with online marketplaces and eCommerce sales have been growing not only for auto makers.

Being present on key online platforms also adds to a positive brand awareness: “In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, marketing spare parts online has become integral to the market”, Stern explains, adding that: “Retromotion lets us offer a partnership that expedites an easy entrance into the platform economy while we handle the relevant e-fulfilment.”

About FIEGE

The FIEGE Group, headquartered in Greven in Westphalia (Germany), is one of Europe’s most innovative logistics companies. A workforce of over 23,000 employed at 133 locations based in 16 countries back FIEGE and its international operations in core markets across all of Europe, and all the way to Asia. FIEGE is a fifth-generation family business that is regarded as a pioneer of contract logistics. Its modular solutions in Logistics, Digital Services, Real Estate and Ventures form the essence of its business activities. In 2021, the FIEGE Group generated 1.8 billion euros in turnover while overseeing more than four million square metres of logistics space.