Over 30 years of American cars
Autohaus Fritz started out in 1992 with Chrysler and Jeep. Dodge and our own import followed in 2002. Since then we have brought vehicles over from the USA ourselves, including models that the manufacturers never offered in Europe.
For you, this means that purchase, workshop and parts all come from one source. If you drive an American vehicle, you do not first have to find a workshop that knows the technology, and you do not have to order every spare part from abroad yourself.
Our customers come from the region and from abroad, as far away as South America. What they have in common: they want a vehicle that the dealer round the corner does not have, and someone to look after it afterwards.
Pickups, SUVs and big engines
The 60 US vehicles in stock at the moment include 22 pickups, 37 SUVs and off-roaders and 21 vehicles with at least five litres of displacement. 39 of the 60 US vehicles are new.
Typical pickups at our dealership are the RAM 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, the large pickups from General Motors that are built to the same design. Among the SUVs, the range runs from the Jeep Wrangler for off-road driving to the Cadillac Escalade and Dodge Durango for long journeys with plenty of space.
Registration in Germany
Vehicles from the USA do not have European type approval. So that they can be registered in Germany, an expert from TÜV, DEKRA or another testing organisation inspects the individual vehicle and writes a report on it.
Some details often have to be adapted for this. Rear indicators are often red in the USA, whereas amber is required in Europe. A rear fog light is usually missing, and the European number plate needs a suitable holder. Ask us about the papers and registration of any vehicle in our stock; we will tell you before you buy.
Running costs: tax, insurance, fuel
In Germany, vehicle tax on passenger cars is based on displacement and CO₂ emissions, so a large V8 adds up to a noticeable amount. Pickups registered as goods vehicles, on the other hand, are taxed by weight, which is often cheaper. How a vehicle is classified is shown in its papers.
We recommend getting an insurance quote before you buy; we give you the data your insurer needs for every vehicle.
Fuel is where you can save the most. Many large petrol engines, such as the 5.7-litre HEMI, have port injection and are well suited to conversion to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, sold in Germany as autogas). LPG costs considerably less than petrol at the pump, and a conversion from our workshop pays off if you drive a lot. You can read more under LPG systems.
Workshop and parts for US vehicles
American vehicles differ from European ones in the details: different diagnostic systems, different oil approvals, different part numbers. We have worked on these vehicles since 1992.
We take care of servicing, HU/AU (the German roadworthiness and emissions test), brakes, air conditioning, tyres including tyre storage, bodywork, paint and glass, plus the seasonal checks. We source genuine parts; the search is quickest with the vehicle identification number (VIN). What the workshop does for US vehicles in detail is described on the page workshop for US vehicles.
Buying, financing, taking it abroad
We offer finance and leasing with our partner banks, with no deposit if you wish. We are happy to take your current vehicle in part exchange when you buy.
If the vehicle is going abroad, we take care of export plates, customs papers and transport as needed, as agreed with you. So far we have sold to almost every EU country and beyond, for example to Morocco, Kazakhstan and Peru. Finance and leasing, however, are only available to buyers resident in Germany; what applies to price and payment is explained in the questions below.
For a viewing and a test drive, please call ahead: +49 34604 348-0, Mon–Fri 7:30–17:00, Sat 9:00–12:00 (sales only). You can reach us in English by phone and e-mail. The dealership is in Oppin, part of the town of Landsberg, with direct access to the A14 motorway, near Halle (Saale).
What customers ask about US vehicles
What does a vehicle from the USA need to be registered in Germany?
An expert’s report, because US vehicles do not have European type approval. The indicators, lighting and number plate holder often have to be adapted for this. For any vehicle in our stock, we will tell you where it stands before you buy.
How can I tell whether a vehicle is a US import?
Vehicles from the European range, such as the Jeep Avenger built in Poland, have European type approval. A US import was built for the American market and individually approved for Germany. This says nothing about quality, but it does say something about equipment, lighting and papers. For every vehicle in our stock, we tell you which of the two it is.
Are pickups registered as goods vehicles?
Some are; it depends on the version and the papers. In Germany, a pickup registered as a goods vehicle is taxed by weight instead of displacement and CO₂, which is often cheaper. We will tell you in advance how a particular vehicle is classified.
How much is vehicle tax on a V8?
In Germany, the tax on passenger cars depends on displacement and CO₂ emissions and is correspondingly high for large V8 engines. You can work out the exact amount with the vehicle tax calculator of German customs (Zoll); we give you the data for it with every vehicle.
Is an LPG system worthwhile for a US vehicle?
Usually, for large petrol engines with port injection and a high annual mileage. LPG is considerably cheaper than petrol. We check in our workshop beforehand whether your engine is suitable and when the conversion pays off.
Can you source a vehicle from the USA that is not in stock?
Talk to us. We have imported vehicles ourselves since 2002. We will tell you beforehand what can be sourced, what it costs and how long it takes.
Can I get spare parts for my American car?
Yes, we source genuine parts. Give us the vehicle identification number and we will find the right part most quickly.
Do you also sell to customers outside Germany?
Yes. So far we have sold to almost every EU country and, outside the EU, to Algeria, Andorra, Brazil, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Peru, Tunisia and Turkey. Depending on what you need, we take care of export plates, customs papers and transport, as agreed with you. Buyers from other EU countries with a valid VAT identification number can buy net of VAT. Outside the EU, buying net of VAT is also possible, including under T1 transit; this depends on whether the vehicle has already been cleared through customs and where it is at the time. Whether a net purchase is possible also depends on the vehicle: for vehicles under the German margin scheme (§ 25a UStG), a net sale to another EU country is not possible. The price of every vehicle shows whether VAT is deductible. Payment is by bank transfer only; we do not accept cash for export sales. Most of our export buyers are dealers. Finance and leasing are only available to buyers resident in Germany. You can reach us in English by phone and e-mail.