Daimler joins car buying website carwow

Carwow plans to use the money primarily to expand its business in its existing markets of the united kingdom, germany and spain. In addition to daimler, several german car dealers also participated in the financing round. On carwow, users can select a vehicle and are then redirected to dealers in their area.

The industry is having to adapt its business models to the fact that city dwellers in particular are buying fewer cars and brand loyalty is much lower than it used to be. In addition, the industry could be heading for a future with self-driving robotaxis, in which car sales will fall and the money will instead be earned primarily from the operation of the driving services.

Data from carwow gave car manufacturers an insight into the buyers’ decision-making process that they otherwise would not have had, said the head of carwow germany, philipp sayler von amende, to the german press agency. "We see, which competition vehicles the customer has configured, which vehicles he has actually requested from the dealer and what he has bought in the end at which price."On average, a user configures four models from three brands when making a selection.

Daimler manager axel harries, who is head of sales at mercedes-benz cars, becomes a member of carwow’s board of directors. The platform is open to accepting other car manufacturers in later financing rounds, said sayler of amende.

Carwow had started in great britain in 2012, came to germany in 2016 and started in spain in 2018. Traders deposit with the platform in advance the discounts they are willing to grant, so that they are displayed to users directly during configuration.