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I found this on the global media site - 1:18 diecast model of the new GLE (€89.90). Comes in blue & silver, AMG Line and standard. The auto carrier is really cool; almost 45" long and weighs 22 lb. (€629.90)!
If that’s the date is there any chance that pre-sold will be released any sooner? That might explain the long delays for your build if they are going to release sold orders with the dealer kickoff event
If that’s the date is there any chance that pre-sold will be released any sooner? That might explain the long delays for your build if they are going to release sold orders with the dealer kickoff event
My and Joe’s production don’t end until 2/27-28, so likely they won’t be to the dealer much before 3/23. Who knows, but I doubt there will be deliveries before what ever dealer launch date there is.
My and Joe’s production don’t end until 2/27-28, so likely they won’t be to the dealer much before 3/23. Who knows, but I doubt there will be deliveries before what ever dealer launch date there is.
I agree with Greg, we'll probably take delivery the end of March, maybe even the beginning of April. At least winter will be over (just blew 3" of snow off our driveway). I'm picturing a beautiful spring day when they pull the cover off of our new GLE 450.
I might have mine by then. Shipping....it will be interesting to know how they will get the large number of vehicles delivered. Does Mercedes ship some by rail to distribution points or all by truck? It would seem reasonable to expect shipping to start well in advance of the release date. I have seen other brands shipped to the dealer and the vehicle hidden from view until launch.
I might have mine by then��. Shipping....it will be interesting to know how they will get the large number of vehicles delivered. Does Mercedes ship some by rail to distribution points or all by truck? It would seem reasonable to expect shipping to start well in advance of the release date. I have seen other brands shipped to the dealer and the vehicle hidden from view until launch.
Mercedes uses both rail & truck depending on destination. In these views from Google Earth you can see the rail cars being loaded in Vance.
VPC for US made vehicles is at the plant. West Coast vehicles go by train. Imported Mercedes go through VPC at Baltimore or Long Beach.
They must go by train to some location for distribution by truck. I don’t think Boise Idaho has any train/vehicle unloading sites. Here’s a map of USA locations.
They must go by train to some location for distribution by truck. I don’t think Boise Idaho has any train/vehicle unloading sites. Here’s a map of USA locations.
[img]blob:https://mbworld.org/602f2b4a-2746-4f...1-2388a3e3d5c0
I generalized too much. Train service does not go everywhere, of course. Not sure about Idaho, but I know Portland, and I assume other major cities like Seattle, LA, etc. have auto facilities served by train.
Just placed a deposit on a firm order for a GLE 350 4Matic with my local dealer, Mercedes-Benz of Arlington (Northern Va). He's anticipating a delivery in early April. This will be replacing my wife's 2014 ML350 and will have a pretty similar level of options:
Obsidian black with black leather
AMG Line Exterior w/ RZV wheels
Premium pkg
Drivers Assistance Pkg Plus (now includes Traffic Sign Assist)
Lighting pkg
Parking Assistance pkg
Active multicontour front seats
Ventilated front seats
Rapid heating front seats (required for the multicontour seats)
Trailer hitch
Illuminated running boards
MBUX Augmented Video (just the stand alone, I thought it looks cool)
Passenger seat memory (required with leather)
Load sill protector
I was very happy with the offer the sales consultant gave me, we've been good customers of their service department but didn't purchase our ML from this dealership. Looking forward to the updates on delivery. Thanks for the info I gathered from lurking on this thread!
I was very happy with the offer the sales consultant gave me, we've been good customers of their service department but didn't purchase our ML from this dealership. Looking forward to the updates on delivery. Thanks for the info I gathered from lurking on this thread!
Jim
Would you be able to share what kind of offer you got?
I generalized too much. Train service does not go everywhere, of course. Not sure about Idaho, but I know Portland, and I assume other major cities like Seattle, LA, etc. have auto facilities served by train.
I guess that’s right but I’m still skeptical. I can’t find any indication that Mercedes-Benz ships Domestic by train except to US VPC’s, Canada & Mexico. GM, Ford & Chrysler all ship to regional locations for distribution by truck and they have a much larger volume of just trucks not to mention all the other cars and SUV’s. There are freight facilities in a lot of places including Boise but it takes different infrastructure and people for each specific vehicle type and Manufacturer. For example Mercedes rail cars are enclosed-they may not trust RR people and equipment to unload and assign distribution for delivery by truck to the dealer. Specialized equipment for unloading is mentioned in one article.
That is most likely their invoice cost for the car. Are you trading a car as well?
Invoice is a meaningless number today. It’s not even close to the dealers cost. Years ago invoice was about 11-15% of MSRP depending on the model. Luxury cars had the highest markup. Dealers still had a meager profit even at invoice with holdbacks, sales incentives and incentives in the form of parts credit, year end Kick back, etc. Today invoice is closer to 6% but dealer cost hasn’t changed much from at least double that number. It’s hard to make generalizations since there are variations among brands. Luxury dealers are expected to provide a more luxurious facility and loaners. There is also lower volumn and less profit from F&I in a Luxury brand. Large car markets with more competition may get better pricing through sales incentives, etc. etc Smaller Dealer May price the new less if they have a good profit on the trade but most larger dealers have separate profit centers making that less of an issue.
The Dealer is entitled to a profit or they won’t be in business very long so I’m mot advocating for low pricing just stating a fact. Invoice has little correlation to actual dealer cost.
I guess that’s right but I’m still skeptical. I can’t find any indication that Mercedes-Benz ships Domestic by train except to US VPC’s, Canada & Mexico. GM, Ford & Chrysler all ship to regional locations for distribution by truck and they have a much larger volume of just trucks not to mention all the other cars and SUV’s. There are freight facilities in a lot of places including Boise but it takes different infrastructure and people for each specific vehicle type and Manufacturer. For example Mercedes rail cars are enclosed-they may not trust RR people and equipment to unload and assign distribution for delivery by truck to the dealer. Specialized equipment for unloading is mentioned in one article.
These are responses from the sales manager at my dealership who I sent some questions to:
- Do you have dealer launch date yet? I see it is March 23 in Germany.
Not yet, DOT/EPA clearances have been a real issue the last year or so. This is huge model intro so they will want it as soon as possible I’m sure. But no date yet.
- Do vehicles come from Alabama to Portland on a train or truck?
Train
- Where does the vehicle go through VPC?
Alabama prior to on the train
- Are you getting some preconfigured vehicles and if so, when do you expect to have those?
Immediately upon launch
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 01-31-2019 at 07:11 PM.