Personal commitment and individual service
This is how it all began in Dortmund Dorstfeld in 1963: A box of tools, an old used typewriter, some office supplies and a lot of courage were available when company founders Matthias Heinen and Edeltraud Recke (formerly Giuliani) started selling Peugeot vehicles.
Relocation and brand change
In 1966, the company relocated to the derelict site of the disused Dorstfeld colliery (shaft 2/3) on Wittener Straße in Dorstfeld. There was a lot to do here: The former lamp room and washhouse served as an office and workshop. Under the motto “Known for personal commitment”, all employees were on duty for customers.
In 1980, the brand was changed. Peugeot became Honda.
Tested used cars and strong team spirit
Last but not least, this success is also due to the fact that used cars are checked with particular care and thoroughly repaired before they are sold, so that Motor Center Heinen guarantees that they are in perfect condition when they are handed over.
Of course, success also requires a team that stands behind the products and sees the customer as a guest, who is welcomed into the company’s premises in a friendly manner and treated personally and fairly. The employees stand by this and practice it every day.
New business in Dortmund-Hörde
Motor Center Heinen has also been based in Dortmund-Hörde since March 15, 2001 and the new property is quickly declared the new headquarters – also due to its size. In March 2003, Honda motorcycles were added, so that the concentrated Honda power could be found at Hermannstr. 138.
With over 1,000 square meters of sales space in Dortmund-Hörde, the motorcycle showroom is one of the largest in NRW. Of course, there is also a strong used motorcycle sale, all of which are technically inspected and come with the Honda Quality Ride Guarantee. And, of course, all used motorcycles can also be traded in.
Another move in Dorstfeld
On February 1, 2002, the company moved from Wittener Str. in Dortmund-Dorstfeld to Kortental 77, where the used car lot was embellished: colored surfaces set the scene for the vehicles and guide visitors through the premises. Sufficiently illuminated in the evening, the management is the first to implement the principle of turning car dealerships into car galleries. “People should go for a walk here and feel comfortable – whether it’s dark, raining or the sun is shining,” says Edeltraud Recke, describing the project. Indispensable service and personal contact are very important to the company.
New company in Bergkamen
March 2003: With a total area of 7,000 square meters, including 500 square meters of covered exhibition space, the newly opened car dealership in Bergkamen, Industriestrasse 110, becomes the third location of Motor Center Heinen. The large outdoor area, where mainly used cars are presented, is always visible even outside business hours and invites you to browse.
Opening of the plant in Essen
Heinen’s fourth branch was officially opened on March 1, 2008. The branch in Essen is located at Karolingerstraße 90, not far from Essen city center in the Altenessen district.
The 5,200 m² site was ideal to accommodate the loyal customers from the Essen area. The exhibition hall alone is 520 m² in size and flooded with light. The building is only five years old and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Nevertheless, it exudes the familiar Heinen atmosphere with a children’s play corner and a cozy waiting area for adults.
The fifth location opens - in Bochum!
The opening of the 5th Heinen location on September 19, 2009 in Bochum, Harpener Hellweg 24, closes a gap in the eastern Ruhr area. This is where the company will be launching Honda cars and motorcycles.
Suzuki is added
In order to be able to offer an even more diverse range, Motor Center Heinen has also been an authorized dealer for Suzuki cars in Dortmund-Hörde and Bochum since January 2011. With the small car and all-wheel drive specialist from Japan, the range has been significantly broadened.
New plant in Holzwickede and addition of SEAT to the portfolio
The success story continues: On March 3 and 4, 2012, the 6th branch in NRW was officially opened.
In Holzwickede at Dortmund Airport, Heinen will be presenting Suzuki cars and the new SEAT brand. “We are delighted to welcome Seat, a strong young brand, under our roof. The combination of Spanish temperament and German engineering is perfect for our requirements,” says Managing Director Ralf Giuliani.
KIA - another strong partner joins us
Since September 7, 2013, we are now also a KIA dealer at the Dortmund-Hörde, Holzwickede and Essen locations!
With its exceptional guarantee promise of 7 years manufacturer’s warranty*, KIA is an ideal partner for Motor Center Heinen to continue to live and expand the principle of “person-to-person service”.
*7-year Kia quality promise: in accordance with the applicable manufacturer or mobility warranty conditions. For more information, please contact us!
A painful farewell
On December 22, 2018, Edeltraud Recke, company founder and mother of the two current managing directors Andreas and Ralf Giuliani, passed away after a long period of struggle. For over 50 years since the company was founded, she put her heart and soul into developing, strengthening and growing the company. At the time of the company’s foundation and start-up, asserting herself in a classic male domain required great commitment and an irrepressible will. She shaped the feeling of the Heinen family, always had an open ear and was able to display a fascinating mixture of strict leadership and understanding cordiality. We will miss you and will do our best to honor and continue your life’s work!
Expansion of the portfolio with the CUPRA brand
Since 2019, we have also been a CUPRA partner with our two SEAT locations in Holzwickede and Bergkamen. In Holzwickede, we even have the status of CUPRA Specialist at the start of this adventure with the new brand. For this purpose, we have created additional exhibition space with a separate extension to showcase the performance brand’s products in the future.
Expansion to include the Werne site
With a total area of over 10,000 square meters, the Heinen Group’s newest location has become an impressive showroom for a wide variety of new EU cars, annual cars and used cars of all brands. The new location, which will only open under the Heinen banner in November 2020, will therefore only sell used cars and EU vehicles from various manufacturers. There will be no on-site customer service or workshop for our customers. However, our colleagues from the nearby branches in Bergkamen will be happy to assist.
The seventh location opens in Kamen
In line with the orientation of the branch in Werne, we opened another used car location in 2021 with the opening of the branch in Kamen. Various new cars, annual cars, used cars and new EU cars are also offered here. So it is also a pure sales location without workshop services but with great know-how and a young, committed team! Be sure to stop by and browse the huge outdoor area for your next vehicle!
Suzuki comes to Essen
We have been an official Suzuki service and sales dealer in Essen since the end of 2021. You can now find Suzuki vehicles at 4 Heinen locations – the success story continues!
We look forward to your visit in Essen – come by and discover your Suzuki!
Heinen in Sauerland - the eighth location opens in Menden
In our new branch in Menden, we have been there for you with KIA sales and service since July 2022. As usual, we also offer service for Cupra and SEAT. On our total area of 12,500m² you will also find various young cars, annual cars, used cars and new EU cars. Be sure to stop by and see for yourself.
Holzwickede 2.0 - the ninth location near you
Now you will find us twice in Holzwickede – right next to each other. We have moved the Suzuki showroom from the previous building at Alte Kolonie 6 right next door to the former “Ford Kleine” dealership. You will also find an even larger selection of new and used cars of all kinds on the spacious site.
Our tenth location opens in Hagen
Following the takeover of the Menden dealership in July, we are now taking over the second dealership of Autohaus Huchtemeier GmbH on December 31, 2022. Our now 10th location in Hagen on Konrad-Adenauer-Ring will continue to operate under our roof as a Kia location. In addition, you will also find Suzuki vehicles and used cars of all brands at the newest location
New additional brands on offer
In the Dortmund-Hörde and Werne branches, we have also been offering the BAIC, Forthing, Dongfeng and JAC brands since the beginning of 2024. These brands and their vehicles, which are still relatively unknown in this country, impress us with their quality of workmanship and high level of equipment at surprisingly low prices. Come and visit us and see the quality of the vehicles for yourself!
Focus on modernization
The Cupra & Seat showrooms in Bergkamen and Holzwickede heralded the start of our extensive modernization work at all branches in 2023. This will be immediately followed by the Kia CI conversions for our branches in Menden, Hagen, Holzwickede, Dortmund-Hörde and Essen.
The modernization of the locations focused on creating an even more appealing and efficient environment for customers and employees alike, as well as implementing the latest technologies in a sustainable design concept. From new showrooms to modern workshop areas, these investments were used to optimize the customer experience and increase the efficiency of Motor Center Heinen’s operations.