Mercedes-Benz Australia has announced its first all-electric vehicle, the EQC 400, will be sold directly to customers via an online sales portal.

 

At this stage, the EQC will be the only model sold online with fixed pricing, following the process developed by Tesla.

 

According to Mercedes-Benz, “the national set price creates transparency and speeds up the purchasing process.”

 

Nine dealer partners around Australia have been appointed as EQ agents to facilitate sales of the EQC. Dealers are located in Sydney, Parramatta, Melbourne, Waverley, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, and Canberra.

 

Under the online sales model, Mercedes-Benz retains ownership of vehicles throughout the sales process and picks up many of the administrative functions typically handled by the dealer. The brand claims this enables the EQ agents to focus on delivering optimal service.

 

Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific CEO and Managing Director Horst von Sanden said the retail partners would continue to be the interface to EQ customers.

 

“The nine EQ agents we have chosen to launch the EQC will focus even more strongly on conveying the emotions of the brand,” he said.

 

“We consider the new business model to be an opportunity for our authorised retailers to be able to help shape the future challenges within the automotive industry.”

 

“It will allow us to offer our customers an improved experience and gives us the possibility to better recognise the customer’s needs and respond faster to them.”

 

When it comes to servicing, EQC owners will be able to have regular maintenance performed at any authorised metropolitan Mercedes-Benz service centre, while major items will be forwarded to a specialist service department within the EQ network of agents.

 

The new EQC 400 is priced from $137,900 plus on-road costs, prospective buyers can view the car in EQ showrooms from December 9, with first customer deliveries to begin from early 2020.