AutoGravity: Daimler Financial Services investing in smartphone app for vehicle financing

The customer-focused comparison app for buying and financing vehicles provides users with up to four tailored offers within a few minutes. AutoGravity features multiple vehicle brands and models, and enables various financial services providers and automotive manufacturers the opportunity to offer vehicle financing and leasing via smartphone.

"With our investment in AutoGravity, we are now taking the strategic step of preparing the conventional financing and leasing business for digital sales channels," said Bodo Uebber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Financing & Controlling and Daimler Financial Services. "We believe AutoGravity and its technology have the potential to revolutionize the sector for online financing while, at the same time, offering a digital platform for other financial services providers and automotive manufacturers."

Over 150,000 downloads since launch

AutoGravity initially piloted its digital financing platform in the state of California in mid-2016 in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC. Since that time, additional finance providers have been integrated into the platform. Plus, AutoGravity has extended its offering to include leases and used-car financing.

"In AutoGravity, we see a new star rising in the digital world. Customers are able to find the best financing deal for their vehicle in real time. The comparison app acts as a digital interface between the customer, dealerships and various financial service providers," explains Klaus Entenmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Financial Services AG.

Using a smartphone, customers are able to browse and select vehicles from different manufacturers and then choose one of up to four finance offers. AutoGravity meets customer requirements in the swiftly growing online automotive market for fair, transparent and customized offers, which can be obtained quickly and easily via smartphone. The platform is available in the Unites States through iOS, Android and Web applications. AutoGravity's apps have surpassed 150,000 downloads since the launch of its pilot.

Pioneering digital mobility and financing services

The investment in AutoGravity underlines Daimler Financial Services' pioneering role in the digital financing and mobility services sector. The launch of car2go in 2008 marked the beginning of present competition in car sharing. The mytaxi app is currently Europe's number one e-hailing company with more than six million subscribers in nine countries. By announcing the acquisition of electronic payment provider PayCash last month and investing in AutoGravity in the U.S., the company now strategically adds digital services to its financing portfolio.

"After being in the auto financing business for more than 50 years, our goal is to continue offering customers a suite of digital tools for a more innovative financing and mobility experience," said Entenmann.

In the U.S., the AutoGravity financing app is already working with other banks, manufacturers, and dealerships. Consideration is also being given to rolling out AutoGravity in other markets.

Record year in 2016

Daimler Financial Services concluded 2016 with 1.6 million new financing and leasing contracts worth a total of €61.8 billion. The total value of all new contracts rose by 7% compared to the previous year. The sales and leasing activities at Daimler Financial Services supported approximately half of all new-vehicle sales by our automotive divisions. More than 4.3 million financed or leased vehicles were booked, resulting in a 14% increase in contract volume totaling €132.6 billion. The acquisition of Athlon Car Lease International accounted for €3.7 billion of the increase in contract volume. Adjusted for Athlon and exchange-rate effects, the increase amounted to 10%. EBIT rose to a new high of €1.739 billion, compared to €1.619 billion in 2015.

More information about Daimler is available online at: www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler-financialservices.com

Daimler at a glance
Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the vehicle manufacturer is one of the biggest providers of premium cars and the world's biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services offers financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance, financial investments, credit cards, and innovative mobility services. The company's founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with their invention of the automobile in 1886. As an automotive pioneer, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility. The company's focus is on innovative and green technologies and safe and superior vehicles that captivate and inspire customers. Daimler invests systematically in the development of alternative powertrains — ranging from hybrid vehicles to all-electric vehicles powered by a battery or a fuel cell — with the goal of making emission-free driving possible in the long term. In addition, the company is fully committed to accident-free driving, intelligent networking, and autonomous driving. This is because Daimler considers it as a challenge and an obligation to meet its responsibility towards society and the environment.

Daimler sells its vehicles and services in almost every country in the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa. Its brand portfolio includes the world's most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, as well as Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes me; the brands smart, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra, and Thomas Built Buses; and the Daimler Financial Services brands: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial, Daimler Truck Financial, moovel, car2go and mytaxi. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2015, the Group sold 2.9 million vehicles with a workforce of 284,015 employees. Its revenue totaled €149.5 billion, and EBIT amounted to €13.2 billion.

AutoGravity at a glance
AutoGravity is a FinTech pioneer on a mission to transform car financing by harnessing the power of the smartphone. AutoGravity partners with the world's leading banks and financial services companies to give consumers direct control over how they finance their cars. Available as a native iOS, Android and web app, AutoGravity offers a secure and convenient platform that empowers customers with multiple finance offers within its network of trusted car dealerships. Based in Irvine, California, AutoGravity was founded in 2015 by an international team of digital natives and industry veterans. For more information on AutoGravity, please visit www.autogravity.com and follow @AutoGravityHQ on Twitter.

SOURCE Daimler Financial Services

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