H-MAN

Anyone know if we are going to get the EDITION30 in the USA? While prices of other high end vehicles have taken a hit the G's resale is still strong. If there was one new Benz I'd like to have this would be it, in all black please.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/m...ecial-edition/

DUTCH

Not coming to the USA.

H-MAN

Too bad. It would be nice to own one of the special anniversary trucks.

Saprissa

why not ?

Any official reason why MB is not selling the EDITION.30 or the EDITION.30 PUR in the USA ???

emissions are above California standards. Safety is above DOT/NHTSB.

I can buy one here in Stuttgart today, but I can't take it back to the USA?

no one can tell me why.

?????

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

DUTCH

It does not fit the "luxury" image that MBUSA wants to maintain.

Saprissa

i don't give a crap about MBUSA.
If I buy one today here in Germany, it's not MBUSA that is restricting me from importing it to the USA. It's MB Daimler here in Germany telling me that it's not a US market car, and can't deliver / ship it to the USA.

But they can't tell me why, because it exceeds all US federal emission standards and safety requirements.

WTF ???

DUTCH

MBUSA has complete say over what is imported into the USA; and they do not have any interest in selling or allowing it to be sold in the US. The vehicle has not been homologated for the US market.

If you have a German address, you can buy one in Germany for delivery in Germany. You can then import it into the USA by using a USDOT Registered Importer, who will bring it to USDOT and USEPA standards. The cost for that service will be at least US$15k or more.

Saprissa

I do have a German address, and I'm also VAT exempt. But, that's the kicker... the EDITION.30 PUR already meets USDOT and EPA standards. It far exceeds them. So no need to "bring it to standards".

I can't get a shipping company to bring it to the USA, because it's not on the list of importable cars, and it will be confiscated by US Customs upon entry.

DUTCH

You really ought to do your homework. Here's a good place to start:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

The key word in my post above was that the vehicle is not homologated for the USA. It may or not meet or exceed US requirements; but it has not been tested or certified as such. You can bring it in through a Registered Importer. They have to do a heckuva lot of documentary and engineering paperwork to get it approved. It will cost upwards of $15k to do this; and take 6-12 months for it to happen - all while the vehicle is kept in impound until it clears the certification process.

Derhoss

Using a RI is true but I can't believe all the BS is worth another $15k. If you can get a letter of compliance from MB, you've done the majority of work yourself.

DUTCH

Quite simply, you won't get one. It is not homologated for the US.

ivanj

There is a border crossing from Canada to the USA that I pass when I go bird hunting in Quebec every year.

5 years ago there was an impounded exotic Maserati at US Customs. Last year when we returned and passed through the crossing the car was still there!

Guess the owner just gave up or ran out of scratch. Quel dommage!