MHS Holding Partnered With Chinese Manufacturers
The firm is expanding its European reach as market projections suggest electric and petrol vehicle shares will equalize.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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MHS Holding President Michael Schmidt has announced new partnerships with Chinese automotive manufacturers to expand operations across Spain, Austria, and southern Germany. These deals align with the company's growth strategy as the industry prepares for a major shift in powertrain technology.
Why it matters
The firm is betting on the rapidly improving quality and technology of Chinese automakers to capture a changing consumer market. These partnerships aim to address the transition as the automotive sector evolves toward a diverse mix of fuel and battery technologies.
Market projections estimate electric cars and petrol engines will each hold a 35-40% market share over the next ten years. The remaining percentage of the market is expected to be filled by niche technologies such as hydrogen.
The players
Michael Schmidt
The President of MHS Holding and founder of Automobile Bavaria who is driving the firm's European expansion strategy.
MHS Holding
An automotive dealer and importer group that manages brand portfolios across Romania, Spain, Austria, and Germany.
Hongqi
A well-known Chinese limousine brand that represents the evolving quality standards in the Asian automotive market.
Lotus
A luxury performance vehicle manufacturer that recently finalized an import contract for the Romanian market.
The details
MHS Holding executes its growth by adding new brands and locations annually, recently securing an import contract for Lotus in Romania and opening a new facility in Marbella, Spain. Michael Schmidt cited the advancements in Chinese automotive technology as the primary driver for these strategic manufacturing partnerships. The company's expansion plans involve leveraging these new international relationships to distribute vehicles across key European markets.
Timeline
April 2026: Michael Schmidt visited China to evaluate manufacturers.
May 2026: Michael Schmidt completed a second visit to China.
October 7, 2026: The Forbes Business Bridges 2026 event was held in New York.
Next ten years: Projected shift toward electric and niche propulsion technologies.
The Home Front
The firm's strategic shift mirrors the broader European transition as automotive manufacturers balance long-term carbon targets with shifting consumer demand. This marks a departure from reliance on traditional internal combustion engines toward a split-market model.
If you are planning a vehicle purchase in the next few years, consider how these market shifts might affect available service networks and parts for emerging brands. Keep an eye on local dealership updates to see which new imported models will be supported in your specific region.
The takeaway
The automotive landscape is splitting as electric and traditional engines move toward a shared market presence. Buyers should research the long-term support network of new import brands before committing to a purchase as these international partnerships continue to develop.
Further reading
For more on how global manufacturing shifts affect car availability, visit our Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Forbes.
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