Why is it called a 4S store for cars?
4 Answers
4S store is the abbreviation for Automobile Sales Service 4S store (Automobile-Sales-Servicshop-4S). The following is the relevant introduction about 4S stores: Introduction to 4S stores: It is a car sales enterprise that integrates four functions in one: vehicle sales (Sale), spare parts (Sparepart), after-sales service (Service), and information feedback (Survey). Construction and role of 4S stores: Automobile 4S franchise stores are invested and built by dealers according to the standards set by the automobile manufacturers. The stores have unified designs both inside and outside, with huge investments, often amounting to tens of millions, luxurious and grand, and comfortable environments. They can only sell a single brand of cars specially authorized by the manufacturers, providing customers with lower prices, more professional technical support, and more in-depth after-sales services.
The term '4S shop' is quite interesting. When I accompanied my friend to buy a car last time, I specifically asked the salesperson. The four S's actually stand for the abbreviations of four English words. The first S is Sale, referring to the showroom where cars are sold; the second S is Service, indicating the maintenance and repair workshop; the third S is Spare part, referring to the original parts warehouse; the fourth S is Survey, meaning the information feedback center where customer opinions are collected and sent to the manufacturer. Originally, it was a dealer certification standard set by car manufacturers, but later it became an industry-wide term. The advantage of this model is that it ensures service quality, but the maintenance costs are indeed higher than those of ordinary repair shops.
During a car repair session, the technician mentioned the origin of the 4S dealership name, which is a combination of four core functions: vehicle sales, spare parts supply, after-sales maintenance service, and information feedback system. This authorized business model integrates sales and service, ensuring more standardized brand management. For example, if you want to buy a Toyota, you can only go to a Toyota 4S dealership, and for Mercedes repairs, you should look for the three-pointed star logo. The parts in the store are all genuine with the brand logo. The downside is that the prices are not very flexible, given the high operational costs of these dealerships.
Simply put, a 4S store is a manufacturer-operated comprehensive automotive service entity. In the past, car sales and repairs were separate, but the integrated model became popular starting in the 1990s. Research shows that after Guangzhou Honda introduced it to China in 1998, it quickly spread everywhere. The showroom selling new cars is the foundation, but the most crucial part is the professional equipment in the after-sales area—the factory diagnostic computer can read hidden vehicle data, specialized tools prevent damage to screws, and even bolt tightening follows specified torque requirements. However, many new energy vehicle dealers now prefer to call them experience centers.
