14 DAY TRIAL // Mercedes-Benz Financial has announced that it is distributing iPads to all 355 Mercedes-Benz dealers in the United States, providing instant access to its proprietary dealer point-of-sale (POS) system called MB Advantage.
Originally, Mercedes-Benz Financial sent the single-purposed iPads to 40 dealers in June to pilot it as a mobile tool on the showroom floor.
This reportedly happened just weeks after Apple launched the device.
According to Mercedes-Benz Financial, the move was a success. The company can now proudly acknowledge that it is one of the first companies in the world to use the iPad for a business application.
But the financing company decided to hit two birds with one stone, and collected feedback from dealers on how MB Advantage on iPad performed for dealer finance teams when interacting with customers.
Based on the feedback, Mercedes-Benz Financial was able to come up with signature pad functionality for MB Advantage which will allow customers to sign certain documents electronically on the tablet’s screen.
The feature will become available later, this month, said Mercedes-Benz Financial.
"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 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."