Mercedes-Benz To Equip All U.S. Dealers With Apple iPad
Farmington Hills-based Mercedes-Benz Financial announced that it is distributing the 3G version of the Apple iPad to the entire Mercedes-Benz U.S. dealer network, giving all 355 dealers instant mobile access to its proprietary dealer point-of-sale system called MB Advantage.
Mercedes-Benz Financial sent the consumer-focused Apple iPad to 40 dealers in June to pilot it as a mobile tool on the showroom floor just weeks after Apple launched the device. As a result, Mercedes-Benz Financial became one of the first companies in the world to use the iPad for a business application.
During the pilot, Mercedes-Benz Financial collected feedback from dealers on how MB Advantage on iPad performed for dealer finance teams when interacting with customers.
"MB Advantage on iPad allows Mercedes-Benz dealers to increase their mobility and efficiency, from the initial finance and lease process through the lease turn-in process," said Andreas Hinrichs, Vice President of Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Financial. "The dealer feedback was so positive, it became a clear decision to make this business tool available nationwide."
As a result of the dealer feedback, Mercedes-Benz Financial has developed signature pad functionality for MB Advantage which will allow customers to sign certain documents electronically on the iPad screen. That functionality will be available by the end of October.
Many dealers in the pilot found that in addition to the benefits of using MB Advantage on iPad in the sales process starting with credit applications or checking special marketing programs with the customer next to the vehicle on the showroom floor, it also enhanced the lease vehicle turn-in process such as expediting the inspection and agreement on maturity statements.
"As I process lease returns on the iPad, customers can accompany me through the turn-in inspection," said Robert Bostwick, Sales Manager at Schumacher European in Phoenix, AZ. "I can show them on the iPad what I'm noting and we can discuss it while the vehicle and the inspection forms are right in front of us."
In addition to utilizing MB Advantage on iPad, Mercedes-Benz Financial has a robust mobile strategy, becoming the first auto finance company a year ago to create an App for customers to manage their accounts via iPhone and following that with a mobile website for all Smartphone users in early 2010. As a result, Mercedes-Benz Financial has received more than $10 million in monthly lease and finance payments via a payment channel that was established only 12 months ago.
Mercedes-Benz Financial, now in its 28th year of operation, provides financing for Mercedes-Benz dealers' inventories and their retail customers. Currently, more than 450,000 drivers in the United States enjoy the benefits of leasing or financing their Mercedes-Benz vehicles through Mercedes-Benz Financial. Mercedes-Benz Financial is a unit of Daimler Financial Services AG, Daimler AG's captive finance organization.
For more information visit www.Mercedes-BenzFinancial.com.
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