KUALA LUMPUR: The next time you buy a new car from a Mercedes-Benz dealership, you can seek out financing from its newly set up financial services arm.



Headed by Hilke Janssen, Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd was launched today, offering Malaysians a one-stop shop from which they can choose the products that best meet their needs.



Apart from hire-purchase financing packages, the company also offers Mercedes-Benz/FUSO dealership financing and motor insurance underwritten by  Allianz and AXA.

Present at the Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia launch today are (from left) Folger, Entenmann, Janssen and Head of Daimler Financial Services of Africa and Asia Pacific Richard Howard.

It will be launching payment protection insurance within the next few days, and plans to introduce an attractive courtesy car program at the start of next year.



According to a recent World Bank study, Malaysia is among the world's most attractive places to invest.



So far Daimler Financial Services has invested around €5 million (RM19.7mil) in setting up Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, the 40th unit established worldwide.



"Entering the market in Malaysia is an important step that will help secure our lasting profitable growth,” said Klaus Entenmann, the Chairman of Daimler Financial Services.



“What's more, we are pleased that our local customers will now also enjoy our automotive financial services, which meet the highest international standards.”



Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president & CEO Roland Folger said: "The local presence of Daimler Financial Services will make it possible to coordinate customer communications throughout the lifecycle of our vehicles.”



Mercedes-Benz Services is also enhancing its digital sales channels.



Efforts in this area included a financial calculator on the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia website.



The company is also introducing the ‘myMBFS’ iPhone app, which enables customers to select a car model, calculate monthly installments and access information on promotions (an Android version will be coming soon).



In addition to conventional service channels, customers can submit service inquiries from anywhere at any time via Mercedes-Benz Services web-based applications.



“We are investing in forward-looking ways to reach out to our customers,” said Janssen who leads a team of 40 employees.



In conjunction with its launch, Mercedes-Benz Services is offering a 0.58% interest rate promotion for a 48-month loan tenure on the E200.



Janssen said more promotions on various models would be held in future especially in the coming Chinese New Year period.

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