Opel and Sixt launch leasing offensive on the Internet.

The digitalization of the vehicle market in Germany continues to advance: With Opel, the first German car manufacturer has begun to use the Internet for direct sales of vehicles. At the same time, the car rental company Sixt is also entering the business on the net with an online leasing offer.

OPEL RELIES ON AMAZON

With the Internet giant Amazon, the Rüsselsheim-based company is relying on a platform that has already gained experience in vehicle marketing in other countries - and is thus officially the first German manufacturer to take advantage of the online shop. Amazon currently has around 44 million regular customers in Germany every month.

The offer is a leasing for the Adam "Germany's next Topmodel" for a monthly rate of 99 Euro. The special model can be reserved directly on Amazon for a fee of 150 Euro. The contract is concluded and the later delivery is carried out via the Opel dealer network. According to Opel, the aim is to achieve a delivery time of three weeks. The paid fee will be charged when the contract is concluded. If no contract is concluded as a result, the interested party will also be reimbursed the fee.

According to Opel's marketing director Christian Löer, the company wants to specifically address those groups of buyers who already use the range of "fashion and lifestyle products" available online.

SIXT: VEHICLE LEASING INCLUDING MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT

Car rental companies Sixt and 1&1 (United Internet) combine their leasing package with a mobile flat rate. With the current offer, the customer leases a Peugeot 208 for a minimum of twelve months and a maximum of 30 months. 99 euros per month includes transportation, insurance, taxes, service and registration. Interested parties can book the offer via the 1&1 website in conjunction with a mobile phone contract.

The idea behind it: To make leasing more popular with private customers and reach new target groups. "We want to make customers understand that from now on there is a flat rate for the car - all-in and fully flexible. This business model is very familiar to customers on the phone," says Rudolf Rizzolli, CEO of Sixt Leasing, formulating the basic idea behind the new offer.

"Digitalization is not passing by any industry. Only the new car market is an exception so far". Sixt wants to do better and has set itself high goals. The company has been working on the digitalisation of its processes for some time now and is able to handle the sales process online, from the fully digitalised shopping basket to the conclusion of a contract via e-sign. Also via tablet and smartphone. "We want to become the Amazon for new cars," says Rizzolli, summarizing the plans.

NEW CAR MARKET ABOUT TO BE REDISTRIBUTED

It remains to be seen what effect the new offers - which will presumably also force other manufacturers into action - will have on the new car market. In any case, the potential is huge. Currently, around 99 percent of the German new car market is still in the hands of classic dealers.

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Sources: Finanzen.net / AUTOHAUS / Handelsblatt