missing translation: fa.article-intro.reading-time – 04/16/2025
Michael Agsteiner is the managing director of several car dealerships with around 450 employees in the region. Heiko Schmidt, Head of Audi Training Germany, personally interviewed him in Augsburg about his concerns about environmental, social, and economic responsibility.
Augsburg in Bavaria. I am impressed by a large new building in the middle of a vibrant and commercially strong district, the city area of Göggingen. The new Audi Center Augsburg has just been built here on an area of almost 12,600 square meters. More precisely, an environmentally conscious “point of experience.” I would like to get to know the building contractor behind the concept.
Michael Agsteiner, Managing director Audi dealership Augsburg
Heiko Schmidt, Head of Audi Training Germany
Michael Agsteiner, Managing director Audi dealership Augsburg
Heiko Schmidt, Head of Audi Training Germany
“Sustainability is not just a word for us,” says the traditional company for new vehicles, used cars as well as workshop and service performance on the world wide web, thereby arousing curiosity. This applies to the Green Building* as well as to investments in the corporate culture. I enter the building, eager to learn the details – in anticipation of a stimulating conversation with the managing director Michael Agsteiner.
“Hello! Nice to meet you. Did you have a good journey?” the Swabian entrepreneur, dealer, Audi partner and builder asks me as we shake hands in good spirits. I nod and show how impressed I am by the new building. “Yes, the conversion of our car dealerships into buildings that are as environmentally friendly as possible is taking shape. We are very pleased about that,” says Agsteiner. Resource and energy-efficient measures are naturally included in the construction processes, in addition to trends: "The automotive sector is undergoing a transformation process towards more and more corporate responsibility. Of course, this should also be reflected in our car dealerships," he continues. “Against this background, it is important to us in the long term to act in an environmentally conscious manner.”
In reality, this means that the new building was built according to the criteria of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB)* and is also to be certified with the “Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings” (QNG). To this end, the DGNB considers the entire life cycle of the building, from planning and execution to use and disposal, as well as socio-cultural and economic aspects with regard to sustainability. The building materials used are also examined.
Other examples of sustainability aspects at the new Audi Center are:
A place to feel good for Audi customers
A place to feel good for Audi customers
There is no classic sustainability officer. “We are all sustainability managers together,” explains Agsteiner. “We are working intensively to be agile in the overall systemic understanding of sustainability and to take into account many facets and aspects in all business areas.” This includes a wide variety of measures, such as optimizing internal resources with digital tools, collecting ideas during energy audits, or even water dispensers for employees and reusable glass bottles.
An efficient alternative mobility concept for customers is also part of environmentally conscious daily business. This includes, among other things, electric cars, e-scooters and e-bikes, which will be provided. There are also environmental and social initiatives: “For example, we are involved in a large reforestation project of FC Augsburg*,” says the managing director.
The employees at the Audi Zentrum Augsburg are on board as sustainability officers.
The employees at the Audi Zentrum Augsburg are on board as sustainability officers.
The deeper I immerse myself in the spirit, the more I realize: There are many small to large steps that are being driven forward by Agsteiner and his colleagues with creativity and innovative implementation power. “What motivates you to realize sustainability in your everyday work?”, I would like to know ad hoc. “A strong sense of togetherness,” explains Agsteiner, adding that freedom and options for co-creation and further development are essential building blocks of entrepreneurial processes. For him, open, transparent and team-oriented cooperation is also part of sustainability management.
“Good employer branding also seems to be very important to you,” I guess. “Absolutely,” agrees Agsteiner, whose company has ranked among the Top 10 “Best Car Dealership Employers” of the Institute for the Automotive Industry (IfA) in the last two years. “In the struggle for talent, companies have to come up with many more ideas today than they did a few years ago.” And that from onboarding onward. There is a lot on offer at the various locations: whether welcome days for newly joined team members, a so-called buddy system in which new employees are assigned a mentor, or coaches who launch individually tailored training programs together with the apprentices.
Michael Agsteiner
I note: Economic performance and sustainable action are not mutually exclusive here, but are always considered together. “In general, we should never stop working passionately for sustainable issues,” says Agsteiner at our farewell.
I have come to know him as a person of vision, courage and creativity for long-term investments in the future, and these insights will remain in my memory.
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