Jānis Dambītis’ motto is :”Let the star shine!” He is recognized and respected by the entire Mercedes-Benz community in Latvia. Jānis has been working at the “Domenikss” - General Representative Office of Mercedes-Benz AG, since the company’s establishment in 1997. In 2015, he was granted the title of Mercedes Ambassador. What does this mean to Jānis himself and how does it affect his everyday work?
How did your journey with Mercedes-Benz begin?
In 1992, I started working for Adolf Saudauskis (Ādolfs Saudauskis). A year later he offered me to go and do the training course at Mercedes-Benz in England. I accepted this offer happily. It was a very vivid and valuable experience, given that the Soviet Union had just collapsed - Latvia had become an independent country and the iron curtain had fallen.
You are like a talisman for Domenikss – always smiling, optimistic and eager. Your colleagues say, that if You’re smiling, everything is still alright. Where do you find your inspiration?
Living in harmony with the nature. I especially love the sea. For 20 years I have been coming to the Livonian Coast - Cape Kolka, where the west coast of the Baltic Sea and the whole Baltic Sea meets, and Slītere National Park, to draw strength and inspiration. The Livonian Coast has had a friendship with Finland for centuries. In the early 20th century, Finnish scholars went on expeditions to study and help preserve the ancient Livonian language. In 1998, the Presidents of Latvia and Finland met right there in Mazirbe. On the first Saturday of August, the traditional Livonian Festival takes place, where our friends from Finland and Estonia actively participate.
A very important source of inspiration is my family. I think it’s important to honour past traditions and to create new and modern ones, that can live up to the times. It is equally important to find a way to do things or to make a material contribution to the public good. That is why both our paternal and maternal sides have planted trees in The Garden of Destiny. We meet there every year and sing a special song to every tree, to honour it.
In 2021, despite the Covid restrictions, You sold the most S-Class cars as well as the first Maybach in Latvia. How did you manage that?
The S-Class and the Mercedes-Maybach are works of automotive art. Working with our clients over the long run, we have created a celebration of anticipation. Together, we look forward to the moment when we can finally enjoy these works of art.
Mercedes-Benz has long had a special place in Your heart, and You've been following its development since the very beginning. What things seem the most amazing to you?
Mercedes-Benz is ahead of its time in both design and technology. The cars it creates are timeless and stay beautiful for decades. The luxurious comfort of a Mercedes reassures you that life is good! We have as many legendary and iconic cars and trucks as nobody else! In other words: there are many car brands, but there is only one Star!
It seems that the car industry is developing faster than ever. What, in Your opinion, will Mercedes-Benz surprise us with in the next five years?
Mercedes-Benz is on a path of success. We are sure to be seduced by the perfection of a new design. We see this brilliantly in the new GLC and expect it to continue in other SUV segments in the coming years. This is particularly important in Latvia, as we sell a lot of crossovers.
Mercedes-Benz is at the forefront of innovative technology. Next year the new E-Class will be presented, which is sure to bring new world-class innovations. For example, if we look back to the previous E-Class with its touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, which are now ordinary. Back then, however, it was amazing news!
And, of course, all the new fully electric EQ vehicles. We have just recently started to get to know those in Latvia. I was very impressed and charmed by their development characteristics. A completely new and unique world!
Finally, it is absolutely compelling, that Mercedes-Benz AG's long-term goal is to achieve zero environmental impact by 2039, both in its plants and in the operation of its vehicles. These ideas of a better future motivate and inspire me - I know that all the energy I put into my work, is going to make a difference in the world.
It's no secret that the car industry is highly competitive. What are your arguments that usually work in favour of Mercedes-Benz?
We need to find each client's human "key" to open their individual emotions and values. Then, with passion and inspiration, whether doing a test drive or presenting the car in a showroom, we create the remarkable Mercedes experience, where we highlight the values, benefits and arguments, that are most important to the individual. Absolute confidence and faith are essential - this is the key, that will make the Mercedes-Benz customer happy!
You work with the most demanding customers in the car market. What would you advise to bear in mind for those, who are starting a business in this field?
We love and cherish all our clients, without distinction or division, and we are able to make an excellent contact with everyone! We listen to our customers with our whole being. With all our heart!