Daimler Financial Services will launch Mercedes-Benz Connectivity Services GmbH, a connectivity service for business fleets, on 1st April 2017.
Branded as ‘connect business’, the company is a subsidiary of Daimler AG, and will be managed by Daimler Financial Services.
It will include vehicle monitoring and maintenance, a portal which allows fleet management, information about fleet performance, and an automated digital vehicle log.
Franz Reiner, chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz Bank and board member of Daimler Financial Services responsible for Europe, said: “The future of mobility services is digital and connectivity plays a significant role.
“With the new ‘connect business’ service…we are addressing the segment of fleet and business customers and focus on their specific requirements.”
The software for Daimler’s ‘connect business’ service will be integrated into existing IT systems, either through the web or an interface. During the production process, each car will be fitted with a communication module to enable data transfer.
The service will be launched in Germany initially, before expanding to further European markets, and multi-brand fleets. Daimler acquired Athlon Car Lease International from DLL in July 2016 for €1.1bn (£0.95m), adding around 250,000 cars to their fleet.
Reiner said that the ‘connect business’ service marked Daimler’s transition from car manufacturer to mobility service provider. He added: “Daimler is placing its strategic focus on the four CASE pillars: connected, autonomous, shared and services, and electric drive.
“By connecting fleet vehicles we are contributing into Daimler’s transition from automotive manufacturer to mobility service provider.”
