35 years Reichstein & Opitz: An anniversary for Jena!

35 years Reichstein & Opitz: An anniversary for Jena!

In the heart of Jena there is reason to celebrate: The Reichstein & Opitz dealership is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Founded in 1990 by the two visionary entrepreneurs Wilfried Opitz and Traubott-Volker Reichstein, the company has developed into an integral part of the region from modest beginnings in the form of two wooden huts and a used car square in Stadtrodaer Strasse. The decisive step into the future came with the conclusion of a Ford dealer contract that paved the way for the sale of new cars.

With a move to Amsterdamer Straße, the dealership had a lasting growth. Today Reichstein & Opitz operates locations in Jena, Apolda and Saalfeld and employs around 170 employees. The offer ranges from new and used car sales to workshop services to mobility solutions. Managing Director Wilfried and Enrico Opitz emphasize how important the connection to the region and the loyalty of the customers and the team spirit are for the success of the company.

commitment to the region

A fundraising campaign was launched on the occasion of the anniversary, the proceeds of which will benefit the Jena Hospice and Palliative Foundation. But the social commitment of the car dealership does not end there: the company also supports local sports clubs such as Science City Jena and FC Carl Zeiss Jena as well as cultural events such as the cultural arena Jena. Another heart of the engagement is the “Wünswagen” of the ASB, which fulfills special wishes in their last phase of life.

While Reichstein & Opitz continues to work on its success story, other companies in Thuringia are also in focus. The Baden-Württemberg family company Marquardt in Thuringia has expanded its production and is strongly investing in the production of battery management systems for electric cars. With a new production facility in the "Erfurt Cross" industrial area, the number of jobs is to be increased by 200 by 2025. In this step, the CEO Harald Marquardt sees a clear commitment to Germany and supporting electromobility, which is faced with great challenges through structural change. This is also evident in the automotive industry, which is characterized by a fundamental change.

challenges of the automotive industry

The challenges are great: According to a report on the current economic situation in Germany, only 0.3 percent growth is to be expected for 2025 after 1.1 percent was originally predicted. The Berlin Brandenburg company association warns of a possible minus and demands an economic warning day to reduce bureaucracy and create more favorable conditions.

Especially in the automotive industry, which employs around 52,000 people in the capital region, the transformation to electromobility is important. While some companies like Tesla are already fully relying on electric cars, others, such as ZF, are still fighting for switching from combustion technology. These challenges are also an opportunity for the Thuringia location when it comes to the future of the automotive industry.

The local commitment of companies such as Reichstein & Opitz, which is not only characterized at an economic level, but also through social responsibility, is a positive example in a time when it takes to shape the future and at the same time keep an eye on people in the region. If you look into the future, digitization, e-mobility and innovative service concepts are the keywords that are inextricably linked to successful development.

In the region, it is worth taking a look at the developments in the automotive industry, because here it becomes clear how important cohesion and commitment to the community are - both in theory and in practice.

For more information: Jenaer Nachrichten , Süddeutsche Zeitung href = "https://www.rbb24.de/wirtschaft/2025/02/KuKunour-wirtschaft-berlin-brandenburg-uto-Industrie-krise-transformation.html"> rbb24