Mercedes-Benz brings in the QR code

When an accident occurs and the vehicle is seriously damaged, the first thing the rescue services must do is free the occupants. This can be dangerous for all those involved if information about the vehicle is not available. So for the rescue workers, quick access to the rescue card is important. It contains all the construction details specific to that vehicle model, such as the location of airbags, battery and fuel tanks, so that equipment such as a hydraulic cutter can be used safely. Already today all manufacturers have rescue cards available for fitting on all their vehicle models.

Daimler is the world's first car manufacturer to offer direct access to vehicle-specific rescue cards by means of a QR code. "Electronic access by means of a QR code enables Mercedes-Benz to support in the rescue of accident victims", says Christian Treiber, Director, Service & Parts for Passenger Cars at Mercedes-Benz Global Service & Parts. “The sticker is easy to retrofit to second-hand cars. So this safety benefit is something we can offer not just to owners of new Mercedes-Benz vehicles." The QR code has been fitted as standard in all new Mercedes-Benz cars since the end of 2013 and is to be fitted in smart vehicles starting in January of this year. With immediate effect, the QR code can be installed in all Mercedes-Benz and smart used vehicles manufactured from 1990 onwards. The fitting must be done by an authorised Mercedes-Benz or smart service station. Treiber: "In many countries, we are offering our customers the chance to have the QR code retrofitted free of charge." For ease of access, the QR code stickers are attached to the fuel filler flap and the B-pillar on the opposite side. Accident investigators have established that these two areas offer easy external access and only in rare cases are both of them seriously damaged.