Apple's iPad coming to all U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealerships
Mercedes-Benz Financial announced the news on Tuesday, Macworld reports. Dealerships should receive the iPad 3G by the end of October.
The "overwhelmingly positive" results from the test program were surprising, said vice president of marketing Andreas Hinrichs. "The feedback was so positive we said, we need to push this out to all the dealers and take the financing process to a new level."
This summer's iPad pilot program was revealed in May. Using the company's custom MB Advantage app, dealers were able to file lease returns directly on the iPad instead of having to write notes and then input them into a computer at their desk later.
Dealers kept customers on the showroom floor to close deals by using the iPad to apply for loans and fill out paperwork. Although the test program did not provide conclusive evidence that buyers are more willing to purchase a vehicle if they stay in the showroom, officials "seemed encouraged by the results," the report noted.
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Dealers kept customers on the showroom floor to close deals by using the iPad to apply for loans and fill out paperwork.
Given the dynamics of car salesmen, I would think that the iPad would fit in very well. They can casually ask for information at various times, and input it when and as possible. By the time they've gotten their customer to the desired point, the sales contract would already be nearly complete.
Let's see if other U.S. car dealerships will use the iPad as well.
It would be interesting if mercedes built them into their cars as an option
Let's see if other U.S. car dealerships will use the iPad as well.
The dealers can show them iAds of the cars they are looking at, too. All while convincing the customer they need an iPad as well.
then give the customers the iPad after the deal is complete.