More say: car sharing provider becomes a cooperative

The car sharing provider Teilauto is becoming a cooperative in order to raise new capital. This step is intended to preserve the company's existence and secure its future, said CEO Michael Creutzer ahead of the official launch this Friday.

According to the company, this makes it the first company in Germany to switch from a GmbH to a cooperative. The new legal form is also intended to protect Teilauto's economic development from capital interests. "We hope that we will become a cooperative with strong membership, then of course we will have equity," said Creutzer. This would ultimately help with the expansion of the vehicle fleet and the construction of new stations, for example.

What's behind the decision

The company was founded in Halle in 1992 as an association. It was converted into a limited liability company in 2004. However, the limited liability company was not intended to be permanent, said Creutzer. The choice of future legal form was discussed for several years.

A cooperative is, according to the information provided, "more democratic in terms of the idea". Each member has one vote.

Growth last year

At the end of 2025, the Leipzig-based company said it had around 102,500 customers in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. This corresponds to an increase of 16.5 percent compared to the previous year. Creutzer spoke of an annual turnover of 35 million euros.

With car sharing, customers can book and use a car for a certain period of time. They usually pay a time and mileage price and, depending on the tariff, a basic price.