Time to Break the Traditional Car Distribution Model smart Launched Gravity Plan
New Retail Partner Conference Held in Shanghai
- During Auto Shanghai 2021, smart, the premium all-electric technology brand, held a new retail partner conference in Shanghai themed "Gravity Plan". Nearly 200 potential partners from mainstream groups in the national auto distribution industry were invited
- For the first time, smart unveiled “Customer Centric, Data Driven” Direct-to-Customer Agent-Based business model in China
- Focusing on four dimensions of corporate development, brand renewal, business Model innovation and product matrix, smart interprets its strong brand gravity
(April 23, 2021, Shanghai) Recently, the premium all-electric automobile and technology brand, smart launched its “Gravity Plan” at the new retail partner conference held in Shanghai. Nearly 200 potential partners from mainstream groups in the national auto distribution industry were invited. On this occasion, smart interpreted its strong brand gravity focusing on four dimensions of corporate development, brand renewal, business model innovation and product matrix.
In the meantime, for the first time, smart officially announced its “Customer Centric, Data Driven” Direct-to-Customer Agent-Based business model in China, showcased its forward-looking business strategy and determination of long-term development.
Mr. Tong Xiangbei, Global Chief Executive Officer of smart Automobile Co., Ltd.， said: "Facing the current auto market, we should actively embrace change and break the outdated rules. At smart, we plan the future and formulated a clear strategic plan for long-term development. For the first time, we not only announced the innovative business model in China, but also would like to sincerely invite successful partners to join us, achieve win-win situations, co-creation, sustainable development and forge smart into a world leading premium all-electric technology brand.”
Mr Tong Xiangbei - Chief Executive Officer of smart Automobile Co., Ltd.
A smarter Direct-to-Customer Agent-Based Business Model: Customer Centric, Data Driven
In recent years, auto industry has faced many challenges and the current traditional business model of distribution exposed weaknesses. According to a survey initiated by China Automobile Dealers Association, the percentage of lossmaking dealers in 2020 was about one third.
In the core of Direct-to-Customer Agent-Based business model launched by smart, “Customer Centric and Data Driven” may provide the cure. According to the Head of Chinese market business, smart Automobile Co., Ltd.，Mr. Yi Han said:” Differs from traditional cooperation between OEM and dealers, smart will engage directly with consumers, to ensure a unified, transparent and stable pricing system and provide vehicle delivery services directly. Reducing the investment pressure on partners’ shoulders, they will be able to focus on providing sales experience and aftersales service. Also, we will assume the major responsibility of brand marketing and user development. Partners can focus more on service quality improvement, thereby achieving a win-win situation for the brand, partners and consumers."
Meanwhile, smart builds an APP with integrated functions for users in all scenes online and establish multi-level offline user touchpoints including CBD showroom, brand centres and delivery & maintenance centres. Through the interaction between online and offline, smart will provide customers with a new intelligent retail experience with unique characteristics.
smart Brand Renewal: Design a smarter future!
More than 2 million owners worldwide, 150,000 loyal fans in China, and the highly active car-fans organizations, all prove the maturity of smart brand. However, the innovative gene rooted in the brand may be the reason of why it never stops evolving.
Mr Daniel Lescow - Vice President of Sales, Marketing and After-Sales of smart Automobile Co., Ltd
In the eyes of Mr. Daniel Lescow, Vice President of global Sales, Marketing & After-Sales of smart Automobile Co., Ltd., “smart was born with the vision of pioneering in mobility solutions. Market and consumer needs keep changing, and so the smart brand renews. As the first in the industry to abandon internal combustion engine and fully switch to an all-electric brand, smart is transforming yet remains its spirit to design a smarter future. We are dedicated to be the uncompromising ally for our customers in everyday live.”
Meanwhile, smart will not only launch new and more digitalized brand visual identity, but also implement the philosophy of “Customer Centric, Data Driven”. Regardless of online or offline, smart will adopt data-driven solutions to create superb user experiencing covering pre-sale, in-sale and after-sale, and meet the individual needs of customers. Also, smart will crossover with the brand partners in other industries to provide more stunning experience for the new generation consumers and co-create smart communities with them.
All new smart product to be launched in 2022, exceeding your expectation
The first product of the next generation of smart will be an all-electric, high-tech, compact SUV, which was designed by Mercedes-Benz AG and engineered with the support of Geely Group Holding. The new car is developed based on SEA architecture, a perfect embodiment of technology and high safety capabilities, will exceed customers’ expectation.
The highly anticipated new smart concept car will have its world premiere in September this year. Meanwhile, the smart brand has formulated a clear and long-term plan for the future product matrix and will gradually expand the product matrix to meet the diversified needs of the market and achieve sustainable development of the company.
New joint venture defines the efficient collaboration
In the end of 2019, the global joint venture of smart brand was formally established by Zhejiang Geely Holding and Mercedes-Benz AG. The brand made strong efforts in the fields of R&D, manufacturing and supply chain to achieve a win-win cooperation.
Since its establishment, with the strong support from both Chinese and German shareholders, the development of the smart brand global joint venture has been progressing rapidly and steadily. At present, the sales divisions have been set up in China and Europe. Meanwhile, product development and the preparation of production are progressing steadily. The first product of smart – an all-electric, high-tech, compact SUV will be launched in 2022. The new model, with strong brand heritage, China state-of-the-art production and global distribution, will be the beginning of next chapter of smart.
With keen insight and quick response to consumer demands can smart become a stable gravitational core in the turbulent wave of competition and attract consumers to actively approach, trust, spread and co-create. Through this "Gravity Plan" new retail partner conference, smart officially unveiled its Direct-to-Customer Agent-Based business model in China and would like to invite successful partners to jointly design a smarter future!
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