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I like the Audi - I suspect it will be much more expensive than the GLE when comparably equipped - the coupes always are.
Pricing is up-$68M to maybe $95M loaded. The only thing I would like to have that Mercedes doesn't is the Level 3 SD & that may be a ways out. It will be fun to drive and has a lot to like but the packaging sucks. Audi starts a new model with progressive bundles and fewer options at first. Foe example-Air suspension is bundled with 4 wheel steering which is OK but only available on the upper trim level. Lots of goodies bundled in each trim level but some I wouldn't want. I don't mind the semi coupe part.
I'll drive the 3 but it looks like the GLE is going to be very hard to beat. Price to me is important but secondary to getting what I want.
While we wait for the DOG...We know what the stock 19s look like, as well as the 22" AMGs. I pulled up these pics of the 20" & 21" AMG wheels for the GLC. I'm guessing the options for the GLE will be similar. I think 21s might be the sweet spot. 22s are a bit of an overkill (and undoubtedly heavy), IMO.
At this time there seem to be quite a few more tire options for 20’s; a reasonable selection of 22’s and the least for 21”. As the large wheels become more popular maybe that will change. For anyone in snow country that might be important if you run a 2nd set of winter tires. Mercedes seems to have great looking wheels for the most part!
At this time there seem to be quite a few more tire options for 20’s; a reasonable selection of 22’s and the least for 21”. As the large wheels become more popular maybe that will change. For anyone in snow country that might be important if you run a 2nd set of winter tires. Mercedes seems to have great looking wheels for the most part!
Tire selection is a factor. I currently run 20s on my ML with 19s for the Winter. I wouldn't go bigger than 20s for the Winter and skinnier is better for snow.
That gives them almost 3 months before year end. Europe may be getting them first. I was a little surprised that not much info came from any of the Journalists at Paris. Usually they do a follow up after talking with the presenters to add some timelines!
That’s a big plant but I wouldn’t think they would have two GLE lines going at once.
Sure they could. I posted last July that the Alabama plant was putting out about 7 2020's a day back then, for testing purposes. Either way, we can only guess. MB is famous for shrouded mystery! Here we are in October, and if anyone goes to MBUSA.com to build a car, they can build a 2018, and we know the dealerships are full of 2019's already.
From what I’ve read a modern factory will have multiple assembly lines backed up by components that are produced at other locations or by suppliers. To produce a large volumn globally one line would have a bottleneck. Look at the number of people in the factory announcement posted by Joe. When the large components like engine, drive train, dash, interior are assembled using humans you have a limit on speed vs quality. It would be interesting to see a plant tour overview. Like Rb....said it’s anyones guess at this point.
Here’s the Presser for the new plant expansion. Not much on lines but several models and output of 300,000 the first year.
Mercedes-Benz plans to invest nearly $1.3 billion in a major expansion at its Alabama assembly plant, creating 300 jobs and preparing the factory to launch production of its next-generation sport utility vehicles.
The new investment comes at a time of dramatic growth for Mercedes’ manufacturing hub in Tuscaloosa County. Output at the 3.7 million-square-foot plant is targeted at 300,000 vehicles this year, an increase of 60 percent from the 2013 production level. At the same time, Mercedes has introduced new models to its Alabama production line-up, including the GLE Coupé this year.
Governor Robert Bentley attended a meeting Thursday afternoon of the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, where Mercedes officials laid out their plans. “It’s great to be in Tuscaloosa to announce that Mercedes will invest another $1.3 billion and create 300 new jobs in Alabama,” Governor Bentley tweeted.
As part of the latest expansion project, Mercedes will add a body shop where its most technologically advanced SUVs will be assembled, according to the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. The new jobs will include high-paying engineering positions.
“The significant new investment Mercedes is making to expand its Tuscaloosa County manufacturing facility shows the company’s strong commitment to advancing automotive technology,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Over the past 20 years, Alabama has developed a productive partnership with Mercedes, and the company’s Alabama workforce has proven its capabilities through repeated expansions and model launches.
“This is a ‘Made-in-Alabama’ success story with global connections,” Secretary Canfield added.
ROUNDS OF EXPANSIONS
Mercedes, which produced its first Alabama-made vehicle in 1997, has invested a total of more than $4 billion in its sprawling Tuscaloosa County campus, after repeated expansions. The plant’s workforce now numbers around 3,500.
Besides the new GLE Coupé, the models made there are the C-Class sedan, the flagship M-Class (renamed the GLE-Class) sport utility, and the GL-Class (renamed the GLS-Class) full-size SUV. In 2014, the Mercedes plant produced 232,000 vehicles, pushing its cumulative production total past 2 million.
Mercedes suppliers have also been expanding or establishing new operations in Alabama. In August, parts maker SMP announced plans for a $115 million plant in Tuscaloosa County that will eventually create 650 jobs. Also last month, Kamtek announced a $530 million expansion of its Birmingham manufacturing facility that will add 350 jobs.
Thanks Shahul. I checked with my local dealer as well and they said the last word from North America is that they won’t have build slots until November. They'll let me know if that changes. Bottom line, no DOG, no actual orders.
Thanks Shahul. I checked with my local dealer as well and they said the last word from North America is that they won’t have build slots until November. They'll let me know if that changes. Bottom line, no DOG, no actual orders.
I did & got the same feedback. Canadian prices are higher than the US anyway. They must have some taxes involved because it seems to be the same on all motor vehicles, even the Lexus RX built there. Since Europe is calling it a 2019 they might be getting them first.
Its a stat holiday here in Canada but will get more info tomorrow. All I am posting is what my sales rep (who I have been dealing with for 10 years) is telling me. He's never misrepresented anything before and knows I am a loyal customer so I highly doubt he is bull****ting me.
2012MLBlue, you posted that you ordered a 2020 GLE 450 in Mojave Silver/textured truffle brown leather, loaded with every package available. Did your dealer provide a copy of DOG for you to make those selections? If so, please post a copy. f not, how did you know what to order? Thanks.
I believe that photo was already posted a few weeks ago before the GLE was unveiled. There would be no need to camouflage the headlamps or MB logo at this point.
I believe that photo was already posted a few weeks ago before the GLE was unveiled. There would be no need to camouflage the headlamps or MB logo at this point.
Actually this is a new picture and the first one that shows a different model than the GLE450 that was just shown in Paris.
It shows a GLE300 instead of the GLE350 that some thought could be the base model.
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