Between January and March, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Korea reported 123.7 billion won ($111.7 million) in sales and 9.6 billion won in operating profit, the highest rates ever.

Besides from the ever-growing popularity of the Mercedes car itself, the fact that workers are genuinely happy with what they are entitled to do in an ultra-supportive environment contributed to the phenomenal success, said Adi Ofek, managing director of the company. In fact, laughter and the sound of clapping often fill the company headquarters in central Seoul.

“Of course at the end of the day, we should show all the effects through performance. Our numbers show that it has been successful by far,” Ofek said in an interview with The Korea Herald last week.

The company was named one of GWP Korea’s Great Places to Work two years in a row. It was Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Korea’s unique system of appointing a “Fun Master” and “Fun Raisers” to boost workers’ morale and team spirit with cultural and extracurricular activities that contributed to the increasing level of performances. 

The appointed party planners ― who voluntarily signed up for the extra duty ― take the staff out for cultural excursions and outdoor meals to forge comradery. The company also supports their endeavors by sending pizzas to the classrooms of the workers’ children so that the kids can feel proud of what their parents do.

“The whole thing is about building a culture: We are not going for an individual achievement but we want the success as a team,” Ofek said. “Their happiness is very important in getting customer centrality providing seamless service to the customers, who want the best service for the best car.”

And with the beefed-up morale, the company has released a series of programs that helped even light-pocketed people own a Mercedes. Its data showed that Mercedes-Benz has been absorbing the younger demographic, which has been conventionally perceived as a “not yet” customer base.

The company’s newly launched “MB Sure” program guarantees the residual value of the car by up to 49 percent, on condition of returning the car at the point of maturity. Ofek explained that this is the first service to guarantee the residual value of the car for installment purchasers among financial services by imported car brands in Korea.

The company on Monday also launched a program to give discounts of up to 3.5 percent for those who have revisited the service within five years.

“Koreans are extremely well informed ― and they pay back well on time,” she said.

The firm is also seeking a next-generation growth engine.

Ofek went to Busan in April to present Daimler’s Car2Go, a car-sharing program where people can rent a car on a 10-minute basis in the bustling city center. This has drawn keen attention among motorists, who are more than willing to try out a Mercedes for a small fee.

Ofek said the program is still in the early planning stages. If carried out, South Korea will be second Asian country after China to adopt Car2Go.

“Daimler has always considered mobility as part of our future. We are looking into many directions to connect with our customers,” Ofek said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)