Behind the Engine: How the Car Configurator Turns Dreams into Reality
Welcome to Behind the Engine, a new series where we take you behind the scenes of the products and experiences that power Mercedes-Benz.io. Each edition will spotlight one of our key products, share its story, and celebrate the MB.ioneers who make it happen. Think of it as your backstage pass to the engines driving innovation at Mercedes-Benz.io.
Contents
This Edition: The OneWeb Car Configurator (OWCC)
Ever wondered what makes it possible to design your dream Mercedes-Benz online? Behind the scenes of that sleek, intuitive experience is the OneWeb Car Configurator (OWCC). It’s one of the first steps in the customer journey, and it’s where imagination meets technology, serving as the gateway for customers to build their dream Mercedes-Benz car.
OWCC is more than just a tool, it transforms the process of designing a Mercedes-Benz into a truly personal and inspiring journey. From selecting your favourite design and equipment options to fine-tuning every detail, such as the engine sound, the configurator elevates car buying into an interactive, engaging experience. Each choice allows customers to express their individuality, making the act of configuring a car as enjoyable and memorable as driving one.
A Journey That Started in 1997
The story of car configuration at Mercedes-Benz began in 1997. Since then, it has evolved through multiple versions, growing alongside our website. In 2017, the journey continued within Mercedes-Benz.io, with some of the original development team still onboard today.
Today, 11 MB.ioneers are dedicated to this product, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the digital customer experience.
Our mission is simple: make it as easy as possible to customize and buy a Mercedes-Benz, where customers can create and personalise their dream vehicle, save configurations, and even request to purchase. The goal of OWCC is to bring together images, technical details, pricing, and leasing options, all in one seamless experience.
Behind the scenes, OWCC orchestrates the work of many teams to deliver a smooth, engaging experience. It’s a perfect blend of design, technology, and collaboration.
Here’s how the Car Configurator has been evolving, from its first version to the sleek experience you know today.
OWCC Circa 1997
OWCC Car Configurator (Current Live Version)
C-Class in OWCC (Live)
Pre-Configurations in OWCC (Live)
What’s Next?
The future needs to be smarter, faster, and even more personalised. The team is exploring new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to keep pushing boundaries and lead the industry. From its humble beginnings in 1997 to today’s cutting-edge experience, OWCC is proof that innovation never stops and neither does the dream of driving the perfect Mercedes-Benz.
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