Where are VPCs?
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GLS 450 (2022), EQE SUV 350 (2025). GLS 450 (2007)
Where are VPCs?
HI folks. I'm expecting delivery of a new EQE SUV pretty soon and my dealer tells me that it is currently at the Vehicle Processing Center. Can anyone tell me: 1) where these centers are in the US and how many exist, 2) what happens there that apparently doesn't happen at the factory, and 3) how long does it usually take for delivery once a car is there? Thanks again!
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2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
HI folks. I'm expecting delivery of a new EQE SUV pretty soon and my dealer tells me that it is currently at the Vehicle Processing Center. Can anyone tell me: 1) where these centers are in the US and how many exist, 2) what happens there that apparently doesn't happen at the factory, and 3) how long does it usually take for delivery once a car is there? Thanks again!
Last edited by HBerman; Aug 28, 2024 at 09:20 AM.
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From: Louisville, KY
2023 EQE350 4MATIC, 2023 EQE 350 4MATIC SUV, 2015 E250 BlueTEC 4MATIC, 1995 E300 Diesel
There are around 4 VPCs - one in Baltimore, where many East-coast cars are processed (including all of the German-built cars I've ordered), one in Long Beach CA, and one in Brunswick, GA, for all cars brought in by sea. There is one in Alabama, as @HBerman mentioned, for SUVs coming from the Tuscaloosa plant.
VPCs serve multiple purposes. Quality control checks prior to PDI at your dealer; a central coordination point for all the vehicle carrier trucks; last-minute region-specific software updates; and, importantly, any non-factory options such as specific wheel and tire combos, spoliers in some cases, and other options are added at the VPC that may be order or region-specific which couldn't be addressed during factory assembly.
Average time at VPC for the cars I've ordered is about 2-3 days or so. I'd be prepared for 3-7 days, which could be typical. During the supply shortage a couple of years ago, some cars were stuck in VPC for weeks or months, but I believe that backlog has been solved, so you should see your car on a carrier after a few days.
Hint: If you want to see whether your car has made it to the dealer before your salesperson knows, check their inventory online. The stock number should match the build sheet invoice number (or be listed somewhere on there). That's how I found out my EQE sedan was at the dealer a short while before my salesperson called.
Happy upcoming delivery, it's coming soon!
VPCs serve multiple purposes. Quality control checks prior to PDI at your dealer; a central coordination point for all the vehicle carrier trucks; last-minute region-specific software updates; and, importantly, any non-factory options such as specific wheel and tire combos, spoliers in some cases, and other options are added at the VPC that may be order or region-specific which couldn't be addressed during factory assembly.
Average time at VPC for the cars I've ordered is about 2-3 days or so. I'd be prepared for 3-7 days, which could be typical. During the supply shortage a couple of years ago, some cars were stuck in VPC for weeks or months, but I believe that backlog has been solved, so you should see your car on a carrier after a few days.
Hint: If you want to see whether your car has made it to the dealer before your salesperson knows, check their inventory online. The stock number should match the build sheet invoice number (or be listed somewhere on there). That's how I found out my EQE sedan was at the dealer a short while before my salesperson called.
Happy upcoming delivery, it's coming soon!
Last edited by bytemaster0; Aug 28, 2024 at 09:38 AM.
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2019 C63CS
There's a nice video somewhere on YouTube showing one of the MB VPCs and how the cars are being process there. Can't find it anymore at the moment, but will post if I do. Good explanation above. In short, they are at the ports where the cars arrive. What is missing from the explanation above is they also have essentially a full body shop to repair damage that occurred during shipping. Officially, cars can spend 10 business days or more at a VPC. All depends on whether they sustained damage or if there are updates that have to be made that aren't necessarily ready yet. Pending recalls for example get handled at the VPC, too. They can't release any cars that have recalls. At the beginning of a new model year, the cars sit at the VPC for weeks or even months until they get official approval from the EPA etc. to be sold.
In short, the VPC essentially makes sure the car is in factory condition, fixing anything that isn't right or got damaged, and installing port installed options such as Homelink etc. They are basically an extension of the factory. FWIW, I did European Delivery and my car had sustained some minor damage while driving around in Europe. I curbed one of the wheels and scratched the rear bumper slightly. Also they drilled holes in the front bumper at the factory to install the mandatory front license plate. My car spent around 11 days at the VPC while they fixed all that. They completely restored the front bumper, so you can't tell it ever had a front license plate. Technically I'm supposed to install a front plate in my state, but wasn't gonna drill holes again.
In short, the VPC essentially makes sure the car is in factory condition, fixing anything that isn't right or got damaged, and installing port installed options such as Homelink etc. They are basically an extension of the factory. FWIW, I did European Delivery and my car had sustained some minor damage while driving around in Europe. I curbed one of the wheels and scratched the rear bumper slightly. Also they drilled holes in the front bumper at the factory to install the mandatory front license plate. My car spent around 11 days at the VPC while they fixed all that. They completely restored the front bumper, so you can't tell it ever had a front license plate. Technically I'm supposed to install a front plate in my state, but wasn't gonna drill holes again.
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2014 Mercedes E350 4matic Wagon, 2018 Fiat 124 Spyder Lusso manual, 2005 Acura TSX manual
VPCs also sometimes do damage repair if cars get damages in early shipping, for example coming from Europe. If cars are built and shipped but the new model or model year is still awaiting release, the VPC is where they wait.
