Celebrating its tenth anniversary since launching on 1 July 2016, STERNAUTO has grown into one of Germany’s most successful automotive retail groups. The journey began with the merger of long-established businesses, including Russ & Janot in 2015 and Autohaus Sternagel in 2018. A major milestone followed in 2025 with the merger into today’s STERNAUTO GmbH, which streamlined administration and enhanced cross-regional collaboration.

Today, the group operates 22 centers across eastern Germany. Combining decades of expertise, STERNAUTO offers a versatile brand portfolio tailored to daily life, trades, and travel. Alongside Mercedes-Benz, the lineup features innovative brands like smart, BYD, INEOS Grenadier, Fuso, HYMER, and Sunlight. Backed by strong local teams, the company looks forward to the next decade of modern mobility.

At the Viavention HR conference, STERNAUTO won the caHRward 2025 for outstanding recruitment, standing out among 25 German entries. The winning project, “Apprentices’ Social Media Challenge,” was presented in a live pitch.

The jury praised the innovative approach of actively involving young employees and giving them a genuine voice in employer branding. In three phases, trainee teams at the main sites develop their own creative content ideas and share them via the official Instagram channel.

In March 2025, colleagues and management from our Wernigerode center actively supported the reforestation of the Harz Mountains by planting around 400 larch trees near Drübeck. This initiative provides vital support to a region severely impacted by environmental challenges, as estimates indicate that approximately 40 percent of the traditional Harz forests have been heavily damaged or destroyed due to recent devastating bark beetle infestations.

To assist local forestry workers facing the immense task of restoring these damaged areas, the team stepped in to help stabilize the ecosystem over the long-term. Larch trees were specifically chosen because they are a resilient species that copes well with the harsh climate while successfully enhancing biodiversity. The Harz region continues to require ongoing restoration efforts, and STERNAUTO remains proud to be part of this initiative.

LSH Auto Australia was the most awarded retail group nationally at the 2025 Mercedes‑Benz Australia/Pacific Retailer of the Year Awards. Team achievements included recognition for LSH Auto Sydney and LSH Auto Brisbane in the 2025 Circle of Excellence – Metro, and LSH Auto Sydney being named 2025 Mercedes‑Benz Vans Retailer of the Year – Metro. Colleagues across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane were also honoured for exceptional individual performance in areas such as sales, service, parts, marketing, EQ vehicles, AMG, and Vans.

We extend our sincere congratulations to all recognised teams and individuals at LSH Auto Australia.

In collaboration with IWC Schaffhausen, LSH Auto Australia delivers exclusive experiences for both our Mercedes-Benz customers and IWC clients, seamlessly blending luxury, performance and lifestyle.

Through this partnership, prospects from LSH Auto Australia retailers and IWC customers are invited to a series of curated events hosted across LSH Auto Australia locations. These include AMG Drive Days, Formula 1 simulator experiences and premium hospitality. Each event is thoughtfully designed to create an immersive, high-quality experience that brings together the precision and performance of Mercedes-AMG vehicles with the timeless craftsmanship of IWC timepieces.

As a long-term Iridium Club partner, IWC also offers exclusive privileges to loyal Mercedes-Benz owners, including access to unique experiences such as Formula 1 movie premieres and IWC watchmaking classes.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to delivering exceptional, customer-centric experiences that go beyond traditional ownership, creating meaningful and memorable connections with our customers.

LSH Auto Australia supports Run2Cure as part of its ongoing commitment to community engagement and ESG initiatives, helping raise vital funds for Neuroblastoma Australia. The partnership includes vehicle sponsorship and the display of smart vehicles by retailers at each event, increasing brand and product exposure while showcasing smart’s fully electric mobility.

The initiative also encourages staff participation across LSH Auto Australia’s locations, with team members running, fundraising and volunteering to support children and families affected by this rare and aggressive childhood cancer. Beyond financial and in-kind contributions, this personal involvement highlights the strong connection between the organisation and the cause.

Support for Run2Cure helps advance research, raise awareness and make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected, in line with Lei Shing Hong Group’s ESG strategy of giving back to the community.

LSH Auto Australia has been a foundational corporate partner of Street Side Medics since 2020, supporting the charity’s mission to deliver accessible primary healthcare to people experiencing homelessness. The partnership began with the donation of the first Mercedes-Benz mobile clinic van and has since expanded to five vans, enabling services across Sydney, Melbourne and regional New South Wales.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter’s spacious interior and flexibility to be fitted for medical use have been critical to this delivery, providing a practical, indirect endorsement of its suitability for a wide range of business applications. To date, this support has enabled more than 20,000 medical consultations through volunteer-led mobile clinics.

Recently, Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC, KC, Governor of New South Wales, viewed five Street Side Medics mobile clinic vans at Bennelong Lawn, between Government House and the Sydney Opera House.