Mercedes-Benz: Reduced prices for parts, free checkups

Marc-Oliver Nandy (center), executive vice president for after-sales at Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co Ltd, joins with Palace Museum master restorer Shang Li (second from left), IWC Schaffhausen lecturer Gu Ren (far left), and Mercedes-Benz TechMasters Chen Hangxiao (second from right) and Wang Zhongwei (far right), to launch two new Mercedes-Benz after-sales initiatives for 2015. [Photo/China Daily]

Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co Ltd took its "My Service" after-sales brand promise another step forward on Jan 15 at the fashionable 798 Art Zone in Beijing with the announcement that it has officially launched two new service initiatives for 2015.

From Jan 1, Mercedes-Benz has reduced the manufacturer's suggested retail price on all parts, giving customers added value that will last far beyond the New Year.

Mercedes-Benz is also offering a new free Spring Festival check for the Chinese New Year holiday.

As part of the "My Service" after-sales brand promise, the two new service initiatives are designed to give customers better value for their money and a transparent, worry-free ownership experience.

"Mercedes-Benz as a brand stands for modern luxury. That means not only the finest automobiles with stunning design, innovative technology and highest efficiency, but also a rounded sales and service experience that matches the desired lifestyle of our customers," said Marc-Oliver Nandy, executive vice-president for after-sales services at BMBS.

"We are transforming our after-sales services into this world of modern luxury by enhancing value for money and customer orientation."

During the launch ceremony, a senior restoration craftsman from the Palace Museum and an experienced watchmaker from Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC joined Mercedes-Benz master technicians onstage.

They demonstrated the restoration of antique paintings, the disassembly and inspection of watch movements and the transmission assembling of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

By bringing back the beauty and quality intended by the original maker, these masters highlighted the continued importance of quality craftsmanship even in this age of industrialization.

As part of the company's holistic, customer-oriented approach to after-sales, Mercedes-Benz reduced the manufacturer's suggested retail price on all parts starting Jan 1, bringing Mercedes-Benz owners a nice New Year's surprise.

The policy covers the manufacturer's suggested retail price on parts for all Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and smart passenger car models at all authorized dealership outlets across China.

With reductions from 5 percent to 25 percent, the suggested price for Mercedes-Benz E-Class horns, for example, will drop by 8 percent, and C-Class shock absorbers will be reduced by 25 percent.

Mercedes-Benz is committed to deepening localization and continuously optimizing its supply chain and logistics management, all with one goal－bringing more benefits to our customers, said Nandy.

In addition to being transparent and affordable, services offered by Mercedes-Benz provide the highest quality at an exceptional value, he noted.

With new prices allowing them to reach even more customers, Mercedes-Benz high-quality genuine parts have passed stringent testing and are perfectly matched to Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Spring Festival checks

With Chinese New Year around the corner, Mercedes-Benz will conduct free Spring Festival checks at more than 300 authorized dealer outlets across China.

The first official free Spring Festival check by Mercedes-Benz joins its summer and winter checks in the seasonal inspection program.

From Jan 17 to Feb 15, Mercedes-Benz will offer a series of benefits including a free inspection covering 15 items important in long-distance winter driving safety.

Genuine car care products from Mercedes-Benz will add an extra benefit to help owners make their cars look brand new both inside and out.

For certain models already outside the warranty period, Mercedes-Benz will provide owners with its roadside assistance service free of charge for three months. Customers who participate in the event will all have a chance to receive other special gifts from Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz is ready to launch more new after-sales services later this year to provide customers with even better value for their money.

"The new parts prices and the new free Spring Festival check are our New Year's gifts to our customers, and demonstrate our modern luxury philosophy," said Nandy.

"We are going to make sure that every Mercedes-Benz owner experiences the true value of 'My Service' with the craftsmanship and sincerity that has always been the hallmark of Mercedes-Benz."

Nandy told China Daily that Mercedes is servicing the Chinese customers with exactly the same standard as German customers.

"We are already on a level which is the same like the mature markets," Nandy said.