AUTO1 Group SE, Europe’s leading digital automotive platform for buying, selling and financing used cars, has appointed Jorg Pietzner as Chief Financial Officer and member of the Management Board, effective 1 January 2027. The announcement, made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, underscores the company’s focus on deepening its financing capabilities as it enters what it calls its next phase of growth.
Pietzner joins from Deutsche Börse AG, where he is Managing Director Financial Accounting & Controlling, responsible for financial and regulatory reporting, accounting, controlling and key financial processes. He brings 25 years of experience in finance, capital markets, investor relations and communications, having previously spent more than twelve years at UniCredit, including as Head of Group Investor Relations in Milan, and began his career at Goldman Sachs in Frankfurt and London. He holds degrees in mathematics and physics from Freie Universität Berlin.
His appointment matters because AUTO1 Group is betting that expanding car financing is one of its biggest opportunities. Pietzner himself noted that the used car market in Europe offers enormous potential and that financing is a key growth lever. With his background in capital markets and risk management, he is expected to help the company scale its financing operations and deliver profitable growth. Hakan Koc, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said the company sought a CFO who combines rigorous financial steering and capital markets experience with deep expertise in financing and risk management, all central to its next phase of growth.
Pietzner’s familiarity with AUTO1 Group is an additional advantage. He served on the company’s Supervisory Board from June 2026, giving him detailed understanding of its business model and growth strategy. CEO Christian Bertermann welcomed him to the Management Board, citing his strong financial leadership and clear understanding of the company’s unique business model. The transition is expected to be seamless, as Pietzner has already been closely involved in overseeing the company’s strategic direction.
Until Pietzner takes office, Bertermann will continue to lead the finance organisation together with the established finance leadership team. The appointment comes as AUTO1 Group, founded in 2012, operates in over 30 countries with 8,600 employees at the end of 2025, generated revenue of EUR 8.2 billion in 2025 and sold 842,000 cars. The company went public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in February 2021 and is part of the MDAX. Its brands include wirkaufendeinauto.de, Autohero and AUTO1.com, and more information is available at www.auto1-group.com.
The CFO transition is significant for investors and the market because it signals continuity and a sharpened focus on financing as a growth engine. Pietzner’s experience at Deutsche Börse and UniCredit, particularly in investor relations and regulatory affairs, aligns with the demands of a listed company navigating complex capital markets. His appointment could bolster confidence in AUTO1 Group’s long-term strategy and targets, which Bertermann recently communicated. As the used car market evolves, the company’s ability to finance purchases may become a decisive competitive advantage, and Pietzner’s leadership will be central to that effort.
