THE WAY WE BUY CARS IS ALWAYS evolving and Mercedes-Benz has recognised this by introducing a new business model that includes set pricing for the EQC. The advancement coincides with the Australian launch of its first series production all-electric vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC.
The new business model applies solely to sales of the all-electric EQC, which is officially on sale from December 9. For all other vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range, existing sales and pricing arrangements remain in place.
Nine Mercedes-Benz retail partners around Australia have been appointed as EQ agents to facilitate sales of the EQC.
The nine EQ agents, listed below, represent locations where the strongest demand has come for the EQC. The EQ agents will have showroom vehicles available for customers to see and experience during their customer journey. According to Mercedes-Benz Australia, the national set price creates transparency and speeds up the purchasing process.
Under the new business model, Mercedes-Benz Cars Australia retains ownership of vehicles throughout the sales process and picks up many of the administrative functions typically handled at the retailer level. This will enable EQ agents to focus on delivering optimal service, including creating a highly personalised handover experience for the customer.
Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific CEO and Managing Director Horst von Sanden said the retail partners would continue to be the interface to EQ customers.
“The nine EQ agents we have chosen to launch the EQC will focus even more strongly on conveying the emotions of the brand,” he said.
“We consider the new business model to be an opportunity for our authorised retailers to be able to help shape the future challenges within the automotive industry.
“It will allow us to offer our customers an improved experience and gives us the possibility to better recognise the customer’s needs and respond faster to them.”
Customers purchasing an EQC will be able to have regular servicing performed at any authorised metropolitan Mercedes-Benz service centre, while major items will be forwarded to a specialist service department within the EQ network of agents. Servicing is covered by either our capped price, pay-as-you-go structure or a discounted up-front service package.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC, a family-size SUV, is the result of several years of intensive research, development and testing to create a production-ready, all-electric vehicle delivering the performance, comfort, safety, luxury and practical ownership experience expected of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC is priced at $137,900 (plus on road costs). It will be on sale and available to view in EQ showrooms from December 9, with first customer deliveries to begin from early 2020.
The nine EQ agent locations:
Mercedes-Benz Sydney
Mercedes-Benz Parramatta
Mercedes-Benz Melbourne
Mercedes-Benz Waverley
Mercedes-Benz Brisbane
Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast
Mercedes-Benz Adelaide
Diesel Motors Perth
Mercedes-Benz Canberra