RJC

Just got off the phone with my dealer, start of all 2012 E class production is Sept, he believes this may in part be due to a lack of certain electronic components coming from Japan. This production delay is certainly subject to change but this is the latest news so far from what I've been told.

BudC

Is this US/Canada or worldwide?

dbtk

Bummer. But will all the new MB model intros (CLS, SLK, S350 BTC, and C coupe) it probably makes sense to launch later around the same time as the new ML.

RJC

I did not ask about outside of the US.

RJC

It is a bummer for sure as the lease has ended on my C2S and could not be further extended. I was tempted to just get an 11 but the GSM that I do business with talked me out of it. The extra long wait begins...

ImInPA

Interesting. My dealer is expecting deliveries of 2012 E's in late August/early September. September seems late for production to begin. Perhaps the dealer confused deliveries Vs. production.

RJC

Could be and I'd certainly welcome another opinion so long as its confirmed by a MB factory rep. The dealership I am working with is in the top 10 in volume for the US and I spoke directly with the GSM who just got off the phone with their rep from MB. There are a handful of 12's showing 2nd week of June production in the US system but was told it is not accurate. He also said Sept production for Oct delivery; we'll see.

BenzMan369

Curiouser and curiouser.

I was at my dealer today speaking with my salesman.

The chief wheeler/dealer who sits in the middle of the showroom floor (and, I believe, controls the entire universe with his computer) stated he has a few 2012 E Coupe ordering slots available for both June and July, with delivery approximately 1 month after placing the order.

Wish we knew the facts for certain.

golfster

It would seem these electronic components as root cause for the delay must be exclusive to the E then and not common to the other platforms, unless they, too, are delayed. No delays with the launch products such as CLS, ML, SLK, new C coupe?

RJC

That was speculation by my dealer, and as I wrote may be part of the reason...

I think there is certainly more to the story...I can only hope my dealership is wrong as I need a car and the sooner the better, but considering he just spoke with the MB rep I can only think he received credible information.

As mentioned, this is all subject to change by MB...we'll see

It would be nice if this forum had someone in management from a high volume dealership we could chat with and would provide the latest info on new MB's, it could only help them gain new business.

ImInPA

I would doubt that they are or will be building 2011s much longer. It is hard to believe the assembly lines will be closed until September. I would think 2012 production would ramp up in June. Of course this is pure speculation on my part, but, I would think that a production delay like this of such a popular model would be somewhere in the automotive news. Has anyone seen such a story covered anywhere? I searched but could not find anything.

RJC

Here's some more posts from the same thread I started on Coupe/Cab forum, Dr Nab is from across the pond and apparently they are being told the same thing...

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-c...n-delayed.html

golfster

I wonder if current inventory of '11's will be enough to satisfy dealer demand through the delay of production and delivery of '12's. If not, a limit in supply could be one way to manage the considerable discounts that have reportedly been the practice on the 212's to this point.

Cars.com shows 534 '11's in stock (all variants) within a 100 mile radius and 9,243 across the country, with likely more in transit. I don't know if that is high or low, but at least there are cars available....for now.

RJC

Very valid points Golfster.

K-A

One can only hope. This will be a good deed to the W212 and its owners (especially Resale Value).

BenzMan369

Please correct me if I'm wrong but, wasn't the new C Coupe originally slated for early introduction in the U.S. - either June or July?

The latest from the MB website:

".......Hitting showrooms in the U.S. this fall, the 2012 C-Class Coupe......Coming fall 2011."

RJC

Hmmm...the plot thickens

dbtk

Spoke to my local dealer and the new C-coupes should be in by late June / early July.

RJC

What did they have to say about the E's?

BenzMan369

I don't feel comfortable with what the dealers are saying at this moment. Originally, the C Coupes were in fact listed for intro. in the U.S. in June-July on the mbusa.com website. That has now changed, per my post above.

My dealer sales manager checked his computer for me Wednesday and told me the same thing about 2012 E Coupes that you were told about the C's. He was all too ready to take my deposit and write up the order, but I want to know with reasonable certainty when I can expect delivery.

I went through this back in 2000 when I ordered my CLK. Placed an order in November, with "guaranteed delivery" in 90 days. It arrived in June! They were hard to get back then, and for all I know, I may have been "bumped" in favor of someone who knew someone.

So, I guess we'll know the real story soon enough, as June is around the corner.

RJC

Unfortunately I think the info I was given and posted here may prove to be true, it is certainly and hopefully subject to change.

K-A

Now I heard from someone on another Board that there will be a "125th Anniversary" model apparently to close out the 2011 MY's? WTF? I don't know if the Dealer is just blowing up some smoke, but apparently it will consist of some badges, some options bundled at a discounted price, and some different interior color combos.... But it will be a 2011 MY.

MB-JIM

My dealer said he special ordered a 2011 E350 today. He has a customer with a tourist delivery for September that will still be a 2011.

RJC

From the E coupe/cab forum

wireless200

Certainly German autos don't use Japanese electronics do they. Japanese electronics are reliable and they work. Maybe it's just the wiring that's German.