Mercedes-Benz China: Building Local E-Commerce Excellence in Beijing

The Challenge

Mercedes-Benz China faced a dual challenge. First, the technical complexity of launching an online vehicle sales platform in the demanding Chinese market—including managing Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), regional pricing models, and strict regulatory requirements.

Second, the strategic need to avoid long-term dependency on a European partner for this critical infrastructure. The goal was clear:

• Build Local Expertise: An in-house team in Beijing was to gain full control over the platform to react quickly to the dynamic market conditions in China.
• Create Autonomy: Dependency on external service providers was to be minimized to increase agility and cost-efficiency.
• Sustainable Operation: The platform needed not only to be developed but also to be operated, maintained, and enhanced independently for the long term.

This was not just a technology project; it was about building sustainable, local digital competence.

The Solution

Our approach went far beyond a simple software implementation. We acted as a strategic partner, driving a comprehensive competence-building program directly on-site in Beijing.

• On-site Team Building: We recruited and assembled a complete development team for Mercedes-Benz China.
• Intensive Training and Mentoring: Our experts worked side-by-side with the new team. Using a “training on the job” approach, the team was trained directly on the live project—from architecture down to individual lines of code.
• Joint Platform Development: In parallel with the training, the SAP Commerce Cloud platform was developed. This included implementing complex, market-specific requirements like VIN-based inventory management and regional pricing structures.
• Phased Handover of Responsibility: Throughout the project, we gradually transferred more and more responsibility to the new in-house team, until they were able to operate the platform completely autonomously by the project’s end.

We didn’t just deliver a solution; we created the capability to shape it.

The Results

The outcome of this unique partnership is a resounding success on multiple levels and a model for sustainable digital transformation.

• Complete Local Autonomy: Today, Mercedes-Benz China has a highly skilled in-house team that operates, maintains, and develops the e-commerce platform without external assistance.
• Maximum Agility for the Chinese Market: Decisions and adjustments can now be made directly and quickly in Beijing, dramatically increasing responsiveness to local trends and customer desires.
• Successful Go-Live: The platform for online vehicle sales was launched successfully and meets all the complex requirements of the Chinese market.
• Sustainable Investment: Instead of incurring ongoing costs for external consultants, Mercedes-Benz China has invested in building its own long-term competencies.

By focusing on empowering people, we created strategic value that extends far beyond the technology itself.