With its central location, international connections and proximity to manufacturers, suppliers and development partners, Frankfurt RheinMain is one of the leading automotive hubs in Germany and Europe. The fact that these locational advantages are increasingly winning over Asian car manufacturers is currently demonstrated by the establishment of the Chinese car manufacturer SAIC. With the support of FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH International Marketing of the Region (FRM GmbH) and the Neu-Isenburg Economic Development Agency, SAIC Motor Deutschland GmbH has relocated its headquarters from Munich to Neu-Isenburg.
Gene Hagelstein, Mayor of Neu-Isenburg and member of the Supervisory Board of FRM GmbH: “The decision by SAIC Motor Deutschland GmbH to relocate its headquarters to Neu-Isenburg demonstrates once again just how attractive the Frankfurt RheinMain region is, even for internationally active companies in the automotive industry. Our region is clearly developing into a hub for international car manufacturers. Here, manufacturers, suppliers and service providers consolidate functions such as management, sales, development and engineering. Our region offers a reliable infrastructure, highly skilled workers and open networks. This makes the Frankfurt RheinMain – and, of course, Neu-Isenburg – an internationally significant location for further business set-ups and investments.”
Frankfurt RheinMain as a base for SAIC’s future activities
SAIC Motor Corporation (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), the parent company of SAIC Motor Deutschland GmbH, was founded in 1955/1958. The company is China’s largest car manufacturer and one of the top 10 worldwide.
Originally focused on vehicle production, SAIC has developed into a global automotive group – now strongly committed to electric mobility – thanks to early joint ventures with Volkswagen (from 1984) and General Motors (from 1997), as well as the acquisition of the long-established MG brand and the development of its own brands.
SAIC Motor Deutschland GmbH is responsible, amongst other things, for the German operations of the MG Motor brand. The company has relocated its headquarters from Munich to Neu-Isenburg this year.
SAIC Motor Germany currently employs around 40 staff. According to the company, business is developing very successfully. Operational activities at the new site in Neu Isenburg have already commenced. SAIC had originally established itself in Munich in 2019, as there was close cooperation with Audi in Ingolstadt as part of a joint venture with Volkswagen in China. As part of a strategic reorientation in 2025, SAIC’s management decided to concentrate future activities more heavily in the Frankfurt RheinMain region: “The Frankfurt RheinMain region offers the perfect conditions for the successful expansion of our business in Germany and Europe in terms of accessibility, international outlook and the availability of qualified specialists. By moving to Neu-Isenburg, we are consistently implementing our strategic reorientation,” said Steven Chen Shen, Managing Director of MG Motor Deutschland – SAIC Motor Deutschland GmbH in Neu-Isenburg.
In the medium term, the SAIC Group plans to establish a further technical support unit for Germany and Europe at the Neu Isenburg site. In doing so, the Chinese automotive group is strengthening its presence in the RheinMain region and is relying on the Frankfurt economic area as a strategic location for its future activities in Germany and Europe.
The establishment of the business was preceded by support from FRM-China team. In autumn 2025, FRM GmbH held talks with, amongst others, the Vice President of the SAIC Group. Subsequently, Eric Menges, CEO of FRM GmbH, and Harald Fuchs, Head of FRM office in Shanghai, visited SAIC’s headquarters in Shanghai.
“It is no coincidence that SAIC has chosen Frankfurt RheinMain. Our region is no stranger to international automotive groups: Hyundai, Kia, Honda, Stellantis, Chery Automobile (Omoda, Jaecoo), Geely (Lotus, Zeekr), Mazda, Jaguar Land Rover, Suzuki, Škoda Auto and, most recently, BYD already have branches, German headquarters and development and design centres here. For SAIC, this is an environment in which the company can quickly find its feet. Our region offers highly skilled workers, close proximity to partners and an established Chinese community. It is precisely this combination that makes the location attractive for the company’s next steps in its growth,” says Eric Menges, CEO of FRM GmbH.