Mercedes-Benz has decided to foray into the connected car space with the Mercedes Me smartphone app. The app communicates to an OBD connector plugged into the car. The adapter costs Rs 5000 and is compatible with cars from 2007 and later. The adapter will be included free of cost with all new Mercedes-Benz models post November 2019.
The Mercedes Me app incorporates various connected car functions including remote lock/unlock, viewing data such as tyre pressure, parked vehicle location, ability to send destination to the car’s navigation system and speed warning among others. The app also provides emergency assistance in case of an accident and users will be able to schedule service appointments. The Mercedes Me app will be available on the Apple App Store as well as the Google Play Store.
In order to use the app you must buy the OBD communication module that costs Rs 5000 and is compatible with any Mercedes-Benz model manufactured post 2007. The module will be available for sale after November 15 2019 and it will be included free of cost with all new models bought after November 2019. The connected car features will be rolled out in phases with the first one starting in November. Phase 2 and 3 will bring even more features at a later date.
Mercedes-Benz has also decided to make the process of buying their cars more digital. To enable this Mercedes will upgrade its showrooms to have digital car configurators that are easy to use. The configurator will also show the car in augmented reality, while also providing a QR code of the final spec that can be shared to any Mercedes dealer across the country.
The German brand also stated they will move to selling cars online as well helped by a Government initiative encouraging e-commerce. The company plans to have 25 percent of its sales generated from online purchases by 2025.