STUTTGART (dpa-AFX) - The process surrounding the sale of the Mercedes-Benz Group's own car dealerships in Germany is making progress. The company has now held constructive talks with numerous potential buyers for selected locations, a spokesperson said on request. Initial results are expected in the course of next year.

The spokesperson did not provide any details on potential buyers or specific locations. According to earlier information from Mercedes-Benz, around 8,000 people in Germany are affected, who are employed in around 80 plants.

In January, it became known that the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer was considering the sale of its car dealerships. A review had shown that a sale made sense, Mercedes then announced in March. Potential buyers would have to prove several prerequisites - including retail expertise, entrepreneurial competence, economic strength, willingness to invest and open-mindedness towards employee representatives. The locations would not be handed over to a buyer in their entirety, it said. They would not be sold to purely financial investors.

Protests from employees

General Works Council Chairman Ergun Lümali initially criticized the move with harsh words after it became known and announced resistance. The plans were a "slap in the face". Following protests by employees, Mercedes announced an agreement with the General Works Council at the end of July on key points for possible transfers of operations to potential buyers./rwi/DP/men