Automotive manufacturer
More revenue, lower costs – the sales platform for brand, retail & third-party providers
Strategic realignment:
Transformation of the website into the central omnichannel sales platform for brand, retail and third-party providers.
Business Impact:
Introduction of a scalable marketplace business model as a new revenue driver and cost optimiser
Customer experience in focus:
User-centred development of digital services for a consistent, on-brand purchase and customer experience.
Technological scalability:
Modular platform architecture for iterative development and the integration of new functionality.
Organisational enablement:
Introduction of new workflows for brand and retail to operate and scale the marketplace sustainably.
The automotive industry is one of the strongest pillars of the German economy and stands for innovation and progress. But volatile markets, rising costs and growing competitive pressure show that traditional sales models are increasingly reaching their limits.
"When yesterday's sales model no longer fits today's reality, you need a platform that rethinks how brand, dealer network and customers come together."
Head of Digital Sales Strategy and Customer Experience Management
Together with one of Germany's leading automotive manufacturers, we developed a digital sales strategy that goes far beyond classic website optimisation. At its heart is a scalable marketplace model that intelligently bundles the offerings of brand and dealers and makes them available to customers through the central brand platform. The goal was a platform that meets the core requirements of automotive sales: high visibility for vehicles and services, seamless integration of physical retail and online sales, and consistent brand experiences across the entire customer journey. The new strategy brings together technological, organisational and design perspectives — and transforms the central brand platform from a sales channel into a digital business model with real business impact.
Modular components, orchestrated for genuine user relevance
A platform strategy is only as strong as the experience it creates for users. That is why the digital marketplace is shaped not only by technical and commercial requirements, but above all by a deep understanding of the target groups — gained through qualitative insights, quantified usage data and continuous analysis via integrated analytics setups.
Every single function — from the vehicle marketplace to trade-in, couponing, the configurator and the local dealer search — was conceived, designed and iteratively developed in terms of its role in the customer journey, its usage scenarios and its contribution to conversion.
CX, UX and UI design are not a decorative layer here but an integral part of the sales strategy — the interface between platform logic, brand promise and user expectation.
Provider integration: as simple as possible. As effective as possible.
The website follows a clear principle: it is not merely an information channel but a multi-sided platform — with offerings and value for both target groups: customers and providers.
Alongside an excellent user experience for end customers, it therefore needs an equally well-considered integration for dealers and partner businesses. Guided by the principle of minimal viable operation, we design provider integration to be as simple and effective as possible: for fast listing of vehicles and services and effective lead conversion — digitally or in person at the dealership.
Our guiding principles:
Automation: processes such as initiating contact, communication or maintaining vehicle listings are orchestrated centrally through the marketplace and largely automated. That reduces manual effort and increases scalability.
Integration: rather than creating new systems, we rely on intelligent interfaces. Existing dealer systems are connected bidirectionally to synchronise data consistently and efficiently.
Enablement: only where existing solutions are missing or insufficient do we build new modules — interoperable, UX-led and designed for quick adoption in the dealer's daily business.
The result is a platform model that offers real value to both sides: end customers find relevant offers seamlessly — and dealers benefit from a low-barrier, high-impact presence on the marketplace.
Platform logic as a foundation for innovation and transformation
The marketplace is more than a digital sales channel — it is the strategic platform on which innovation becomes possible. Its modular architecture allows new offerings and business models — car subscriptions, leasing on demand or digital services, for example — to be integrated, tested and, if successful, scaled quickly. All without having to build new channels to the customer.
The platform therefore creates not only immediate business impact in the here and now, but also maximum agility for the future. A website becomes a sales platform. And a platform becomes a driver of innovation.
Our contribution to the transformation of the website
Our strategies are deliberately flexible — adaptable to market change, but clear in their objective. The basis for this is our consulting and design standard DIaaS® – Design Innovation as a Service: a collaborative approach that combines deep strategic thinking, user-centred design and operational delivery. The result is solutions with measurable value — for customers, providers and the business.
Rigorous analysis & research
We create strategic clarity through in-depth market, audience and trend analysis — the basis for robust decisions and future-proof strategies.
Collaborative strategy approach
Strategy and delivery interlock in our work: iterative, data-informed and closely aligned with all relevant stakeholders — for solutions that move things forward.
UX/UI design & requirements management
From real user needs and clear business goals we derive concrete requirements — and design experiences that don't just work, but have an effect.
Ongoing consultancy
We think with you and beyond: at a strategic as well as an operational level. As a dependable sparring partner, we bring structure, clarity and energy to complex processes.
Support all the way through delivery
We work side by side with the teams, safeguard quality in the doing and continuously drive agile development forward — until the impact is tangible.
Let's move your project forward together!
Then let's get started together.
We look forward to your challenge.
