Why is a 4S store called a 4S store?
3 Answers
Stores can provide a four-in-one one-stop service, which includes vehicle sales, spare parts, after-sales service, and information feedback. Since the first letters of these four services in English are all 'S', they are named 4S stores. Here is the related introduction: The origin of 4S stores: 4S stores were first introduced to China in 1998 by Guangzhou Honda as an imported concept. They establish close production and sales relationships with various manufacturers and offer advantages such as a good shopping environment and strong brand awareness, which greatly promote product sales. Subsequently, they were widely emulated by major automobile manufacturers. The construction of 4S stores follows the unified design of automobile manufacturers, involves huge investments, and the stores are quite luxurious and impressive.
I've been driving for years and often take my car to 4S shops for maintenance, which got me thinking about why they're called that. Actually, 4S stands for the first letters of four English words: Sale, Spare parts, Service, and Survey, which translate to vehicle sales, spare parts sales, after-sales service, and information feedback. Manufacturers authorize this model to allow car owners to handle all their needs in one place, covering everything from buying a car, repairs, purchasing parts, to even giving feedback. Compared to small repair shops that only handle certain tasks, 4S shops are more comprehensive and reliable, especially in guaranteeing the use of original parts for repairs, reducing the chance of issues. I remember this originated from Japanese car manufacturers in the 1980s and later spread to China, where now almost every brand uses it. The advantage is it saves the hassle of going to different places; every time I take my car there on the weekend, everything is sorted in half a day, saving time and giving peace of mind.
When I picked up my new car at the 4S store, I asked the staff about the origin of the name. They explained that 4S stands for Sale (selling new cars), Spare parts (selling genuine parts), Service (providing maintenance and repairs), and Survey (collecting customer feedback). Why is it designed this way? To offer one-stop services for newcomers like me—after buying a car, I can get it serviced here directly, and provide feedback to improve services, unlike roadside shops that only handle repairs. This model sounds premium but is actually very user-friendly. Though prices are slightly higher, the quality is guaranteed with genuine parts, eliminating worries about counterfeits. Plus, you can accumulate loyalty points for discounts.
