.

.
April 09, 2003
.
This Week:

• Saturn Unveils Performance-Tuned VUE Red Line

• Jürgen E. Schrempp at the Annual Meeting: DaimlerChrysler Stands by Its Earnings Target for 2003

• Remote Control Steering Available On MINI

• Renault and Volvo Cars strengthen commercial partnership in the Nordic markets

• Toyota Announces New Management System, Appoints Two Americans As Managing Officers

• Topping Ceremony of the TPCA JV Plant Celebrated in Kolín, Czech Republic

• Mercedes-Benz Credit and Mercedes-Benz USA Move to Strengthen Brand with an Integrated Market Approach

• Ford To Open New SGI® Reality Centre® At Its Dunton Design Studio In Essex

• Porsche 911 is the sports car with the most stable value

• Renault SCÉNIC II - Innovative, compact and dynamic Design

© 1998 - 2003 Copyright & 
Disclaimer
Automotive Intelligence,
www.autointell.com
All Rights Reserved .
For questions please contact
editor@autointell.com  

.
Mercedes-Benz Credit and Mercedes-Benz USA Move to Strengthen Brand with an Integrated Market Approach
 

Six New Mercedes-Benz Credit Region Managers Tailored Support to Mercedes-Benz USA and Dealers Increased Customer Focus Integrated Regional Approach to Program Management Farmington Hills, Mich. - Mercedes-Benz Credit (MBC), a DaimlerChrysler Services business unit, announced the addition of six new Mercedes-Benz Credit Region Managers to be housed within the Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) regional structure. After a series of collaborative strategic sessions between MBC and MBUSA, a mutual decision was made to integrate their approach to the marketplace and strategically align their organizational structures. The ultimate goal of both MBC and MBUSA is to improve communication and streamline processes between the two entities and the entire Mercedes-Benz dealer network, thereby resulting in greater customer satisfaction.

"This is a powerful team approach that benefits both the automotive and the finance elements of the Mercedes-Benz brand by integrating our philosophies, innovation and the expertise of our people," said Richard Wardwell, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Credit. "We are investing in our brand leadership in order to capitalize on an already great relationship and provide our customers with the best brand experience possible."

The six Region Managers will work out of MBUSA's six regional offices and will be responsible for working closely with their brand counterparts on a day-to-day basis. Key responsibilities include joint establishment of marketing programs, dealer support and remarketing processes. The Region Managers will also be responsible for managing the Dealer Relations Managers and further developing wholesale and capital loan products for the MB dealer body.

"Aligning our resources with MBUSA and empowering our MBC on-site management to make regional decisions are two critical steps in our effort to improve support to our dealers, customers and brand. MBC now has the ability to be in lock step with both MBUSA and the dealer body specific to each region. It is a smarter way for us to do business," said Wardwell.

Keith May, Vice President of Sales, MBUSA, played a significant role in the development of this integration initiative. "The inclusion of MBC management into our regional structure is a firm expression of our joint focus on the marketplace. This is one more important step in our ongoing effort to fully align the two Mercedes-Benz business units."

The three existing MBC region offices in Atlanta, Portland, Ore. and Wilmington, Del. will continue to handle acquisitions, contracts and dealer loan packages. They will also maintain overall responsibility for the MBC region alignment with MBUSA. The six new Region Managers will report up through their respective MBC Region Managing Directors.

The initial transition will begin in second quarter 2003 and will be fully operational by year-end. RGM support and day-to-day dealer interaction will continue to be handled by the in-market MBC Dealer Relations Managers.

(April 07, 2003)