Mercedes-Benz Credit and Mercedes-Benz USA Move to Strengthen Brand With an Integrated Market Approach
-- Six New Mercedes-Benz Credit Region Managers -- Tailored Support to Mercedes-Benz USA and Dealers -- Increased Customer Focus -- Integrated Regional Approach to Program Management
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., April 7 -- Mercedes-Benz Credit (MBC), a DaimlerChrysler Services business unit, announced today the addition of six new Mercedes-Benz Credit Region Managers to be housed within the Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) regional structure.
After a series of collaborative strategic sessions between MBC and MBUSA, a mutual decision was made to integrate their approach to the marketplace and strategically align their organizational structures. The ultimate goal of both MBC and MBUSA is to improve communication and streamline processes between the two entities and the entire Mercedes-Benz dealer network, thereby resulting in greater customer satisfaction.
"This is a powerful team approach that benefits both the automotive and the finance elements of the Mercedes-Benz brand by integrating our philosophies, innovation and the expertise of our people," said Richard Wardwell, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Credit. "We are investing in our brand leadership in order to capitalize on an already great relationship and provide our customers with the best brand experience possible."
The six Region Managers will work out of MBUSA's six regional offices and will be responsible for working closely with their brand counterparts on a day-to-day basis. Key responsibilities include joint establishment of marketing programs, dealer support and remarketing processes. The Region Managers will also be responsible for managing the Dealer Relations Managers and further developing wholesale and capital loan products for the MB dealer body.
"Aligning our resources with MBUSA and empowering our MBC on-site management to make regional decisions are two critical steps in our effort to improve support to our dealers, customers and brand. MBC now has the ability to be in lock step with both MBUSA and the dealer body specific to each region. It is a smarter way for us to do business," said Wardwell.
Keith May, Vice President of Sales, MBUSA, played a significant role in the development of this integration initiative. "The inclusion of MBC management into our regional structure is a firm expression of our joint focus on the marketplace. This is one more important step in our ongoing effort to fully align the two Mercedes-Benz business units."
The three existing MBC region offices in Atlanta, Portland, Ore. and Wilmington, Del. will continue to handle acquisitions, contracts and dealer loan packages. They will also maintain overall responsibility for the MBC region alignment with MBUSA. The six new Region Managers will report up through their respective MBC Region Managing Directors.
The initial transition will begin in second quarter 2003 and will be fully operational by year-end. RGM support and day-to-day dealer interaction will continue to be handled by the in-market MBC Dealer Relations Managers.
Region Manager Assignments
Name MBUSA Background
Region Office
Britt Roberts Chicago Roberts joined DaimlerChrysler
Services in 1989. Since then, he
has held a series of positions in
customer service, credit and sales
for Chrysler Financial and
Mercedes-Benz Credit. Most
recently, he has served as Dealer
Credit Manager for Mercedes-Benz
Credit, Atlanta Region. Roberts
holds a bachelor's degree in
economics from
San Jose University.
Scott Worthing Jacksonville Worthing joined DaimlerChrysler
Services in 1987. Since then, he
has held a series of positions in
customer service, credit and sales
for Mercedes-Benz Credit. Most
recently, he served as Dealer
Credit Manager for Mercedes-Benz
Credit, Wilmington Region.
Worthing holds a bachelor's degree
in communications from Robert
Morris College.
Bob Yeatman Washington, D.C. Yeatman joined DaimlerChrysler
Services in 1990. Since then, he
has held a series positions in
customer service, credit, sales
and remarketing for Mercedes-Benz
Credit. Most recently, he served
as Sales Manager for Mercedes-Benz
Credit, Portland Region. Yeatman
holds a Bachelor's degree in
business management from Widener
University and an MBA from
Wilmington College.
John Young San Francisco Young joined DaimlerChrysler
Services in 1982. Since then, he
has held a series of positions in
customer service, credit and sales
for Mercedes-Benz Credit. Most
recently, he served as Dealer
Credit Manager for Mercedes-Benz
Credit, Portland Region. Young
holds a bachelor's degree in
business management from
California State University.
Lee Lizakowski New York Lizakowski joined DaimlerChrysler
Services in 1984. Since then, he
has held a series of positions in
customer service, credit and sales
for Chrysler Financial and
Mercedes-Benz Credit. Most
recently, he served as Sales
Manager for Mercedes-Benz Credit,
Wilmington Region Office.
Lizakowski holds a bachelor's
degree in marketing from the
University of North Dakota.
To Be Announced Los Angeles
About DaimlerChrysler Services North America LLC
DaimlerChrysler Services North America LLC provides brand specific financing for automotive dealers' inventories and their retail consumers and does business as Mercedes-Benz Credit and Chrysler Financial. As DaimlerChrysler Services Truck Finance, it also finances commercial vehicles for affiliate products such as Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star. The company serves as the headquarters for the operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico and has over 5,000 employees who manage a portfolio of $82 billion with nearly five million contracts. DaimlerChrysler Services North America is a member of the DaimlerChrysler Services Group, headquartered in Berlin, Germany which operates in 39 countries with an employee base exceeding 10,000 and a global portfolio of EUR 109 billion. DaimlerChrysler Services is one of the leading financial services companies worldwide.