Kenny's: The "slightly different car dealer" for over 40 years
For 40 years, Kenny Eichenberger has been a thoroughbred entrepreneur who takes pleasure in selling emotions - for the longest time in the form of cars. Around 5,000 car enthusiasts come to the Mercedes-Benz and Smart exhibitions at Kenny's Auto Centers in Wettingen and Dällikon every year. Kenny Eichenberger's entrepreneurial career began on a gravel parking lot near the railroad crossing in Buchs ZH. Here he sold second-hand [...]
Kenny Eichenberger's entrepreneurial career began on a gravel parking lot near the railroad crossing in Buchs ZH. Here he sold second-hand and new Simca cars, which he imported from France. His starting capital consisted of 20,000 francs and a UBS current account of 50,000 francs without collateral. That still existed 40 years ago! Regardless of the ever-increasing innovations in the car market, Kenny Eichenberger recognized from the very beginning that in the car trade it is not only the vehicle and the brand that matter, but also personal contact. This realization has not changed to date.
Premiere with the new pit stop in Wettingen
In the wind of success, Kenny Eichenberger already set himself the next goal: a new garage building in Dällikon! The Autocenter was opened in 1984. Kenny Eichenberger: "I was so proud. I remember the opening well and the first time in the new premises." Ten years after the company started, he was able to fulfill his dream of running a Mercedes-Benz dealership. Business flourished and the staff grew. Kenny's soon became too cramped in Dällikon. A second location was opened in 2001. Since then, Wettingen has been home to one of the most modern car dealerships in Switzerland.
For the opening of the Wettingen location, the pit stop in the Autocenter was invented. This facility has been an integral part of the Kenny's philosophy since 2001. Service is carried out quickly, precisely and by specialists, just like in Formula 1. But that's not all: in 1996, Nicolas Hayek and Mercedes-Benz were looking for a suitable branch in the greater Zurich area for the Smart brand. They decided on Kenny Eichenberger and partner Thomas Baggenstos.
A particularly fine Käfeli
And what belongs to Kenny Eichenberger, like the Mercedes-Benz and Smart logos: The fine Käfeli has accompanied him for forty years. It's part of the welcoming ritual at every auto center. Kenny's also makes a cup of coffee special. He traveled to Costa Rica with his family in search of the best coffee beans. The filming for a TV commercial took place on a coffee plantation in Costa Rica.
www.kennys.ch
Photos: Archive
