Mercedes-Benz USA provided the dynamic PDAs to all its dealers in 2009, as part of the First Class Finish customer and dealer-friendly program. The device has been used to accelerate processes such as pre-delivery inspection of the vehicle before this is being sold. Each dealer has received one to four PDAs, depending on its size.
Now, the company’s financial arm will supply new software to the dealerships, so that when the customer reaches the end of the leasing contract and brings the vehicle to the showroom, a dealership representative will use the PDA to scan the vehicle identification number (VIN) and start the final inspection. This will bring the time necessary for the inspection from 30 to just 15 minutes.
"This technology is beneficial to both the customers and the dealers because it eliminates paper forms for the dealer and is a much faster and efficient process for busy customers," said Jeff Gartland, Director of Remarketing for Mercedes-Benz Financial. "We see a great opportunity to end the paper process and replace it with a green process that benefits everybody,"
The First Class Finish program eliminates the vehicle’s final inspection by an independent third party and improves communication with the client.
“The best case scenario that benefits the customer, dealer and Mercedes-Benz Financial is if the customer comes in for the pre-inspection, discovers that they qualify for a pull-ahead loyalty program and they drive home in a brand new vehicle," Gartland said.
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