Mercedes-Benz introduces ‘Marketplace’ platform; aims to scaling up its pre-owned car business

Mercedes-Benz today announced the launch of an innovative ‘direct customer to customer’ selling platform called ‘Marketplace’. It provides both buyers and sellers of ‘Marketplace’ distinct benefits related to best price guarantee, enhanced inventory of certified vehicles available online, ease of transaction, a hassle-free experience and complete transparency in the entire process.

With this transparent, hassle-free and customer-centric approach, Mercedes-Benz India wants to make the selling of a car as enjoyable as purchasing a new Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes-Benz Marketplace is an ideal platform for sellers who seek the best value for their existing cars and looking for an upgrade to a Mercedes-Benz. Furthermore, Marketplace will offer the best price to the seller with a hassle-free experience and complete peace of mind.

With Marketplace, the buyer of a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz gets benefitted with a wider range of certified cars to choose from and upgrade, having complete transparency and assurance of the best value. Mercedes-Benz is the first luxury car manufacturer to provide such a unique solution, which takes care of the need of both the existing owners and that of potential buyers.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & CEO Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Following our motto of ‘reimagining excellence’ we want to create an enhanced luxury experience for luxury aspirants who wishes to upgrade to a Mercedes-Benz. Marketplace’s direct customer-to-customer model will provide discerning sellers and buyers the most transparent, hassle-free and convenient platform to sell existing car and upgrade. With this initiative, we create a win-win scenario for customers and an opportunity for our franchise partners to scale-up their pre-owned and new car business by offering a luxury brand experience. Marketplace will continue to set new benchmarks in terms of transparency, efficiency and customer-centricity in the entire luxury pre-owned car business.”

With the launch of Mercedes-Benz Marketplace the company seeks to offer the seller, transparency at every step. The seller can update vehicle details in few easy steps on Roadster under “Sell your Car” or “Trade-in” module with the expected value for their car. Mercedes-Benz dealership then takes care of the processes such as evaluation of the car, generating buyer leads, arranging for test drive of the car, ensuring completion of transactions.

The online penetration for used cars currently remains at 20 per cent and with Marketplace; the penetration is estimated to further increase to 30 per cent. Mercedes-Benz Marketplace effectively uses the potential offered by the online platform to provide complete transparency to sellers and buyers of Mercedes-Benz pre-owned cars.