Mercedes-Benz and Mastercard Transform the Driving Experience with In-Car Payments

In a groundbreaking move, Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with Mastercard to introduce a game-changing feature in their vehicles: in-car payments at the point of sale, according to Finextra. This innovation positions Mercedes-Benz as the world’s first automaker to seamlessly integrate Mastercard’s Secure Card on File for Commerce Platforms technology for online payments directly into their vehicles.

As of now, this transformative feature is live and available to customers using Mastercard debit and credit cards in the latest Mercedes-Benz models. The integration allows for an unprecedented level of convenience, where customers can utilize a fingerprint sensor within their car to securely make digital payments at over 3,600 service stations throughout Germany.

The process is elegantly simple: after refueling, the driver will instantly view the amount of fuel added and the corresponding invoice on the in-car MBUX dashboard display. Payment is then automatically processed, eliminating the need for the driver to walk to the checkout area before leaving the gas station. The invoice is subsequently sent to the customer via email, making it an entirely paperless and hassle-free transaction.

Franz Reiner, Chairman of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Mobility, highlights the company’s commitment to pioneering native in-car payment solutions. He expresses their ambitious vision for the future, stating, «We are pioneers in native in-car payment and are already working on the integration of further services.»

What sets Mercedes-Benz apart is their dedication to extending fingerprint payments beyond fuel-related transactions. Soon, this technology will encompass a broader spectrum of vehicle-related services and expand to other European markets. This forward-thinking approach reflects Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled driving experience to its customers.

This collaboration with Mastercard follows Mercedes-Benz’s previous partnership with Visa, where they leveraged Visa’s Delegated Authentication and Cloud Token Framework technology. This earlier endeavor allowed drivers to effortlessly pay for digital services and on-demand hardware upgrades within the Mercedes me Store, further enhancing the convenience and connectivity of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

With Mercedes-Benz spearheading the integration of in-car payments and evolving the driving experience, the automotive industry is witnessing a significant leap forward in the fusion of technology and convenience, setting new standards for the road ahead.