CK530

I've been following the GL's inventory in 2 of the biggest dealerships in NJ for the past 2 months. As of today, one dealer (Prestige) have 48 GLs and another dealer (Ray Catena) have 66 GLs. That's alot of GLs. My local dealer only have 13 GLs in their inventory.

Is MB planning on some kind of incentive by year end to move the GLs? Or, if Prestige & Ray Catena willing to work deals to move those GLs on their lots?

I was planning to purchase a 2008 ML550 by year end. But, if I can get 7% or 8% off MSRP, I might be leaning toward the GL450.

Any opinion on getting a great deal by year end?

Thanks,
CK530

blazinginder

You can probably get a GL450 for around invoice from Ray Catena, they'll almost definitely beat any price you get from Prestige or any other dealer in the area...PM me if you want my guy's info at Catena's

patsy1099

I ordered a 550 from Globe for $500 over invoice so I have to imagine that you can score a great deal on a 450. Out in CA they are going for $2k UNDER invoice! For that money you can buy there and have it shipped cross country for about $700.

Germancar1

Those 2 dears are some of the largest volume dealers around so of course they stock a lot of vehicles. Also you have to see what they actually have there on the ground, they're web info is not always up to date. My dealer here is a high-volume shop too, but they don't have much of anything on their lot. A few Cs, Es and S models thats it and a few MLs. Ultimately you have to look at the overall sales numbers for the month nationwide to see if sales have really slowed down, shipments to the dealers will be down dramatically if so.

M

blazinginder

...the inventory log for a lot of the dealers are never up to date

Germancar1

Then again you know what the big December sales thingy is coming. So these dealers could be stocking up for that sale.

I can see why the big dealer's log isn't up to date. Salesmen probably hate updating, they only like to sell them..lol!

M

LEOSOPHIE

It Was My Experience Locally That Once A Serial Number Was Assigned It Was Included In Inventory. This Acts As A Lure To Get People Into Showroom Or To Make Internet Inquiries. Sold Orders Are Included In Internet Inventories. My Gl550 Was Shown In Inventory 3 Weeks Before It Was Trucked To The Lot.

lkchris

According to Wall Street Journal, GL is tied with C-class for third place among fastest moving cars for sale in USA. This is based on time vehicle remains on dealer lot.

oknish

Wow......Is that for MBs only? And did they break out GLs by model (320, 450, 550) or was it just one category?

lkchris

No, that was all cars sold in the US.

All GLs, all models of new C-class together.

Buick Enclave is #1.

In September, GL was 6th and C-class was 10th and Enclave was #1.

oknish

Double WOW.......

Krytech

Wow. I must admit, The Enclave is a pretty slick. I'm still leaning towards replacing our SUV with the GL450 though. Not sure I'm ready for a Buick...too young

lkchris

This is not a statement of sale volume.

It's a statement of inventory turnover.

Germancar1

Great info. That means that those dealers are gearing up for the big December sell off. Typcially Mercedes sells anywhere from 25-30K units in December, this year I expect an all-time record due to all the new models on the ground compared to last December. The WSJ info is kinda like what JDP releases on hot sellers. Great for Mercedes especially for the GL since it has been out for a while now.

M

oknish

Yup, I got that. I am impressed by MB's ability to move the cars off the lot even as sales are tightening.

Prefo

I ordered my '08 GL320 from my Vancouver dealer on July 30th..... I am still waiting.....I was told it was shipped last week, so should have it next week . My dealer has told me that all of their '08 320's are pre-orders. They will not have any for inventory... so I suppsoe one can assume that the demand for GL's in Canada (320's anyway) is greater than the supply right now.

CK530

With gas prices going to $3.50 and higher, major layoff in the lending industries, stock market is down and according to the WSJ, year end bonus will be down from prior year. How/Where are dealers finding new buyers? Dealers will always have their loyal buyers, but where are the new buyers coming from? New MB buyers may able to afford a $30k-$35k C class or $45k ML, but may not able to afford a $65k GL.

When I purchased my 1st MB in January of 1999, Ray Catena was very aggressive with their pricing of the ML430. I walked out but they continued to call me for next 2 days until they agreed to my price (below invoice). When I went back for a ML500 in April of 2002, they wanted $500 over invoice. Their attitude was take it or leave it.

Prestige and Ray Catena are within 30 miles of each other. Come late December, I hope they will be aggressive with the pricing. One of them will earn my business.

Regards,
Carlos

Germancar1

Well I have learned over the last few years that people make money all kinds of ways that not connected to the current messes going on in the housing and stock markets. People need vehicles to a degree no matter what. Couple that with the GL being the hottest thing in the segment and poof(!) there you go. It really is the right size and price and the GL550 is there for those who wish to spend more and really treat themselves.

You should do goo in December because that is when MB is most willing to move the product. If those dealers really have that many units in stock then they'll be dealing and selling for sure.

M

MKW

When you sell aggressively at $2K BELOW invoice ( SoCal and some NorCal dealers ) when the model year is only three months old, you are moving the metal with pricing like some GM products . But as the sales mgr at my AutoNation -owned MBZ dealer said, stock holders of AutoNation seem more interested in volume growth than in per car sales net , as the former is what wipes out family owned competing dealerships over time , which is their goal.

Germancar1

Very true.

M

blazinginder

Catena will do invoice, I'm almost certain of it ...at the very least they'll beat Prestige's price

do you have a salesman there?

BJ021

Very interesting info Kent. Thanks for sharing...goes to my point on an earlier post that MB knows how to manage their inventory.

BJ

BJ021

Yes, there are a lot of businesses that feel very little effect from the sour areas of our market. The comment of "where are all these buyers coming from?" reminds me every time I hear it that there are a lot of was to make a buck! And lots of those people are joining us on this board every day!

Germancar1

Indeed they do, they're one of the best at doing this. They make sure dealers don't have a lot of CLS, SL, R, or high-end versions of certain models just laying around. Very expertly controled. Well after the R-Class debacle.

M