Mercedes-Benz dealers now using iPads to sell cars

Mercedes-Benz Financial announced today it has become the first automotive finance company to give dealers mobile access to its point-of-sale dealer system. The company has decided to make the Apple iPad available to its US dealer network.

Mercedes will implement its Proprietary MB Advantage dealer system which will become available through the Apple iPad interface. They hope this will bring their business extra flexibility, information on the showroom floor.

Moreno said he started using his own iPad on a limited basis to handle leased vehicles, and is now among the dealers in the company's official iPad pilot program. When the customer arrives, Moreno carries his iPad with him outside to do returns on the spot.




Press Release

Mercedes-Benz Financial, which has received more than $5 million in lease and loan payments from customers via their mobile phone devices since becoming the first auto finance company to establish that payment channel late last year, is now taking its mobile strategy to the showroom floor to benefit dealers and customers.

Mercedes-Benz Financial today announced that it is putting the Apple iPad(TM) into the hands of its dealers, becoming the first automotive finance company to give dealers mobile access to its proprietary point-of-sale dealer system called MB Advantage. In doing so, Mercedes-Benz Financial is one of the first companies to adapt the consumer-oriented iPad as a mobile business tool.

MB Advantage on the iPad will give dealership sales personnel instant access to marketing programs for specific models, quicker turn time on the credit application process, and increase speed and efficiency on the return of lease vehicles.

"We see the iPad providing wireless mobility, information and flexibility on the showroom floor," said Andreas Hinrichs, Vice President of Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Financial. "The iPad will provide a competitive advantage to our dealers by increasing their service levels through a more flexible financing process."

Hinrichs said the size and versatility of the iPad makes it compatible to access MB Advantage via the mobile device and to take the dealer system from the finance & leasing office to the showroom floor.

Mercedes-Benz Financial will distribute iPads to 40 selected dealers throughout the United States to test iPad as a business tool. The company will monitor iPad usage and collect feedback from dealers and field sales staff over the summer.

Improvements to MB Advantage on iPad, based on dealer feedback, will be incorporated before potentially making the mobile device available to all Mercedes-Benz dealerships later this year.

"With the exciting, new products coming out from Mercedes-Benz, the iPad with MB Advantage gives us tremendous credibility with our clients," said Bernie Moreno, President of Mercedes-Benz of North Olmsted, Ohio, near Cleveland.

Since launching its iPhone app last October, which allows Mercedes-Benz Financial customers to make payments on their vehicle lease or loan from their iPhone, Mercedes-Benz Financial has had more than 13,000 downloads, approximately 5,000 payments and $3.6 million in payments received.

That launch was followed in March by giving customers who use smart phones the same capability to manage their Mercedes-Benz Financial accounts from their mobile devices. That has resulted in over 15,000 visitors, more than 2,000 payments and $1.5 million received in payments.

BMW 3 Series Travels 1,013 Miles on One Tank of Fuel

BMW has just unveiled a new iteration of the 3-Series, and it is making quite a splash in Europe. It won’t be coming across the pond, but we sure wish that it were.

The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon develops 163 hp between 3,500 rpm to 4,200 rpm and 360 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm to 3,000rpm. This enables the car to sprint from naught to 62mph in 8.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 137 mph (220 km/h).

UK motoring journalist Tom Ford drove a new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics sedan from the UK to Munich and back, on one tank of diesel fuel. The total distance travelled was 1,630 kilometres (1,013 miles), which means the car delivered 68.9mpg overall and CO2 emissions of only 109g/km. These are the same figures claimed by BMW.

BMW can be proud and owners of the E90 320d who must have known the car was capable of such range. Biggest reason for the good news is that the car achieved figures of 75.9 mpg UK (63.2 mpg US or 3.7lt/100km), and never went below 65 mpg UK (54.1 mpg US or 4.4 lt/100km) for the entire trip. The overall figures for Tom Ford and the BMW 320d come in at an average speed of 59.3mph (95.4km/h) and 68.9mpg UK (57.4 mpg US or 4.1 lt/100km).

It propels the BMW from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 8.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 137mph or 220km/h while returning a combined fuel consumption of 4.1 lt/100km, equal to 57.4mpg US or 68.9 mpg UK, and a CO2 rating of 109g/km in the EU test cycle.




Photos:carscoop

Press Release

BMW's most fuel-efficient and greenest-ever 3 Series completes record-breaking journey on one tank of fuel

BMW's cleanest and greenest 3 Series ever has just completed a record-breaking journey from the UK to Munich and back - on one tank of fuel.

Filled up at the Channel Tunnel, the new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon made it to Munich, then as far as Lille on the return leg - a staggering total of 1,013 miles on a single tank of fuel - before needing to be refuelled.

To put it in a UK geographic context, the distance achieved would have meant being able to drive from Land's End to John O'Groats, and still having 200 miles range left in the tank.

Just as impressive was that the intrepid driver - motoring journalist and TV presenter Tom Ford - didn't use efficient driving techniques such as coasting, or drive deliberately slowly for the trip, coverage of which appeared in yesterday's Sunday Times newspaper.

Although switching the air con and radio off as a concession to fuel saving, Tom managed a reasonable motorway pace all the way there and back, proving that in the real world, the new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon delivers what it promises on paper - an official combined figure of 68.9mpg and CO2 emissions of only 109g/km.
On the way to Munich, Tom achieved highs of 75.9mpg, and didn't dip below 65mpg for the entire trip. With an average speed of 59.3mph, the car achieved 68.9mpg overall.

He said: "I was prepared for this car to fail in the real world. I was wrong. Although I did try and be careful and drive in a feather-footed manner, I did cruise at a reasonable 65ish mph on the autoroutes and autobahns, so faster than the usual economy run pace.

"Think about it in the context of everyday motoring: comfortably more than 1,000 miles on one tank of diesel means just 12 fills a year for the average motorist - and even driven normally I still think you're looking at 750-800 miles per fill. BMW's EfficientDynamics: it does what it says on the tin."

The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon develops 163hp between 3,500rpm to 4,200rpm and 360Nm of torque from 1,750rpm to 3,000rpm. This equates to a zero to 62mph time of 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 137mph ensuring that while it might be extremely efficient, it still offers sporting performance - a fact not lost on Tom.

He said: "It's difficult to tell the difference between this model and a standard 320d in terms of driving performance which is brilliant. It means that as well as the obvious financial advantages, this special 320d is a car for the environmentally conscious who still want a car that drives superbly."

For drivers choosing the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon, there is no VED to pay for the first year of purchase due to its low CO2 figure and a 13 per cent benefit-in-kind company car tax rating and sporting ability thanks to its 163bhp. For a business buying one, the sub 110g/km emissions mean 100 per cent first year writing down allowances, allowing the model's full first year depreciation against to be offset against Corporation Tax.

The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon comes with the existing suite of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies, including Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and Electric Power Steering for optimum performance. However it also achieves its class-leading emissions with the addition of innovative engine construction, a longer transmission ratio, lowered suspension and the use of specially designed aerodynamic alloy wheels with Michelin EnergySaver tyres.