Back when Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched the facelift GLC models in late 2019, they also announced support for the Mercedes Me adapter. These adapters could be retrofitted to many older (2002 onward) Mercedes-Benz vehicles to give them more advanced telematics, connectivity and digital functionality.
The best part is that they were simple enough to be installed by the owners themselves, with a smartphone app serving the other half of the equation. Well, it looks like launching it here had an impact, as the 500,000th Mercedes Me adapter to be activated WORLDWIDE was right here in Malaysia! Sure, that doesn’t mean much, but at this point we’ve got to be grateful for the little things.
Here’s what the Mercedes Me adapter can provide to owners:
- Information about the current vehicle status: fuel level, mileage, parking location and time
- Find parking garages with prices, opening times and occupancy
- “Cockpit”-Mode with live vehicle data, e.g. engine load, oil temperature and average speed
- “Car Health Monitor” for fast support in case of warning lights from the vehicle
- Trip list and refuelling list with export and editing function
- Find, contact and book appointments with Mercedes-Benz Service Partners
- Reminder function for important due dates such as the main inspections
This means that even older Benz vehicles without touchscreens can be paired to one’s smartphone via Bluetooth and have some modern functionality. All for just RM250. More information is available here.
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Since 2016, Mercedes-Benz has been offering its customers the option of equipping as yet unconnected vehicles from older model series dating back to 2002 with the Mercedes me Adapter. Connecting the adapter with a smartphone means that connectivity services are no longer solely reserved to customers buying new cars. More than half a million vehicles worldwide have been equipped with the adapter to date. The 500,000th adapter was activated in Malaysia. Vehicles retrofitted with the adapter are now on the roads in a total of 33 markets in Europe and the Asian/Pacific region. With Estonia, Lithuania and Cyprus, three more markets will be added this year. Since August this year, customers have had the option of installing the adapter in their Mercedes-Benz cars on their own and without visiting a certified service partner. A self-service installation process in the app guides the user through the individual steps. This makes the activation possible in a matter of minutes.
Vehicle data and services conveniently available on the user’s smartphone
The activation requires the installation of the Mercedes me Adapter, a Mercedes me user account and a connection with the Mercedes me Adapter App. Information is read out from the vehicle and uploaded in the app via Bluetooth®. The app offers Mercedes-Benz owners various functions from four central areas: my vehicle, mobility, statistics and service. The integrated gas station and parking space finder is among the most commonly used features, with customers accessing this function an average of 150,000 times a week. This function shows gas stations in the surrounding area together with their fuel prices and opening hours, and indicates available parking spaces at nearby car parks, including parking costs. Another popular function is the telediagnostics, via which the app outputs a warning message to alert the user directly to any malfunctions or problems relating to the vehicle. On their smartphone, customers can keep an eye on everything – from low oil level through low battery voltage to critical tyre pressure. The app informs the dealer automatically when a service is due. Customers can book an appointment online in the app and contact their service partner and a 24-hour hotline directly on the phone or by email as well.
In addition to features on everyday topics such as parking, refuelling and navigation, the Mercedes me Adapter App also provides information on the vehicle and services for the owner. Factors such as fuel level, engine oil and coolant temperature, engine load and intake temperature are depicted in what is known as the Cockpit. The individual driving style is analysed via the Driver Score feature. This documents the driver’s acceleration and braking behaviour to enable comfortable and economical driving. Previous journeys and refuelling stops can be viewed in the Statistics area – the list is exportable and can serve as a basis for creating a log. The app reminds the user automatically when the tyre pressure or oil level need a checking or when the next service is due, indicating the remaining time and mileage.
Best Customer Experience 4.0: customer demands in the digital age
The Mercedes me Adapter is an integral part of the sales initiative “Best Customer Experience 4.0” in the division Mercedes-Benz Cars. With “Best Customer Experience 4.0”, the brand Mercedes-Benz focuses on the changing customer requirements in the digital age. Customers should be offered a seamless and convenient luxury experience whenever they want to enter into contact with Mercedes-Benz – regardless of the time, place or channel they are using. That is why Mercedes-Benz is seamlessly blending its physical retail with the digital channels and is redesigning it with innovative store and location concepts. At the same time, the company expects to achieve a quarter of its global passenger car sales together with its sales partners through online channels by 2025. The digitalisation of sales also includes the workshop and after-sales business: Mercedes-Benz expects that 80 percent of all service appointments will be booked online by 2025. Customers will receive individual offers and appointment suggestion which they can easily accept with just one click. The cornerstone for the further development of sales in line with current customer needs was already laid in 2013 with “Best Customer Experience” in order to make new and existing customers the access to Mercedes-Benz products and services even easier.
Please find the latest news, information and communication material about BCE 4.0 on Mercedes me media: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/bce
