2020 V167 GLE
#2101
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: 2000 ft over the Fl coast in a B-17
Posts: 5,824
Received 260 Likes
on
186 Posts
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.
#2102
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yes - the 2020's are starting to come off the production line to "stack up" so to speak at Vance for nationwide launch.
There has been no word on Federal approval - and no word on "launch date" (which is frankly normal).
There is expectation launch "could be" early March which would be cool... but really no one will know until Mercedes makes that "official announcement" on actual launch day.
On launch day sometimes dealer don't even get a notice from MB - what dealers see that day is "released to shipper" - and Mercedes invoices dealer's for the released rigs....
There has been no word on Federal approval - and no word on "launch date" (which is frankly normal).
There is expectation launch "could be" early March which would be cool... but really no one will know until Mercedes makes that "official announcement" on actual launch day.
On launch day sometimes dealer don't even get a notice from MB - what dealers see that day is "released to shipper" - and Mercedes invoices dealer's for the released rigs....
The following users liked this post:
Ron.s (02-01-2019)
#2103
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,615
Received 1,189 Likes
on
856 Posts
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
US dealer launch
Yes - the 2020's are starting to come off the production line to "stack up" so to speak at Vance for nationwide launch.
There has been no word on Federal approval - and no word on "launch date" (which is frankly normal).
There is expectation launch "could be" early March which would be cool... but really no one will know until Mercedes makes that "official announcement" on actual launch day.
On launch day sometimes dealer don't even get a notice from MB - what dealers see that day is "released to shipper" - and Mercedes invoices dealer's for the released rigs....
There has been no word on Federal approval - and no word on "launch date" (which is frankly normal).
There is expectation launch "could be" early March which would be cool... but really no one will know until Mercedes makes that "official announcement" on actual launch day.
On launch day sometimes dealer don't even get a notice from MB - what dealers see that day is "released to shipper" - and Mercedes invoices dealer's for the released rigs....
#2104
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Montreal, QC
Posts: 446
Received 134 Likes
on
76 Posts
2020 GLE450 4Matic AMG-Line
I wonder if Canadian bound vehicles would be held up by US EPA certification delays. I wouldn't think so, but often Transport Canada tends to mimic US regulations for simplicity and harmonization.
#2105
#2107
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,615
Received 1,189 Likes
on
856 Posts
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Lab Tested video
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 02-02-2019 at 12:13 PM.
#2108
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Reading PA
Posts: 2,470
Received 406 Likes
on
284 Posts
23 EQS 580 SUV, 19 X7 (sold), 17/14 GLS550 (sold) 13 GL550 (sold)
#2109
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,615
Received 1,189 Likes
on
856 Posts
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Reviews
Good question. I'm sure there is an embargo on instrumented road tests until the official dealer launch, then we'll see the magazine reviews/comparison tests.
#2111
Senior Member
I bet she could make a Honda Fit seem big
#2112
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Boise
Posts: 3,378
Received 1,032 Likes
on
700 Posts
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Mercedes has no control over what reviewers have to say about the product. They may selectively choose those that are likely to be favorable but that’s about it. Since most reviewers want future access and may get advertising $ there’s not true objectivity anyway!
#2113
#2114
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,615
Received 1,189 Likes
on
856 Posts
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
That's the whole point of my derision. Of course MB cannot control what reviewers say but they do control who can and cannot access the vehicle (in this pre-launch timeline) and can create an early spin by giving access to vacuous youtubers willing to sell themselves for clicks.
#2115
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Boise
Posts: 3,378
Received 1,032 Likes
on
700 Posts
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
I agree, it’s good business to get all the free advertising they can. It’s of little relevance if it’s an in depth review or just some pretty pictures. How many Super Bowl Ads had any depth or information. Mercedes existing or past customers are one target market but YouTube and Auto Blogs reach potential new Customers. Mercedes likely had the Presser event so early to counter the new X5 & Q8 launch-letting cross shoppers know the 2020 is coming. Now they need another blast of advertising as the launch date gets closer. Even posts about the GLE on competitor forums has raised some interest from non owners. I have provided “links” to 4 people just in the last 30 days. Some go to the build your own only to find the 400. You can select future cars and then find the GLE near the bottom but most probably aren’t finding even that info.
#2116
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,615
Received 1,189 Likes
on
856 Posts
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Launch strategy
I agree, it’s good business to get all the free advertising they can. It’s of little relevance if it’s an in depth review or just some pretty pictures. How many Super Bowl Ads had any depth or information. Mercedes existing or past customers are one target market but YouTube and Auto Blogs reach potential new Customers. Mercedes likely had the Presser event so early to counter the new X5 & Q8 launch-letting cross shoppers know the 2020 is coming. Now they need another blast of advertising as the launch date gets closer. Even posts about the GLE on competitor forums has raised some interest from non owners. I have provided “links” to 4 people just in the last 30 days. Some go to the build your own only to find the 400. You can select future cars and then find the GLE near the bottom but most probably aren’t finding even that info.
#2117
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Reading PA
Posts: 2,470
Received 406 Likes
on
284 Posts
23 EQS 580 SUV, 19 X7 (sold), 17/14 GLS550 (sold) 13 GL550 (sold)
My local dealer received their first A Class a few days ago. It's for demo only and cannot be sold. MB will take it back at some point. Some friends are interested so I'll be introducing them to the sales manager and I'll get to test drive it myself.
Last edited by JoeMa; 02-04-2019 at 07:33 PM.
#2118
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Boise
Posts: 3,378
Received 1,032 Likes
on
700 Posts
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
That would be really nice if they did the same with the GLE soon. Audi said the same thing about the intro of the Q5 & SQ5 but demand was off the charts and at the last minute they changed & let dealers sell them instead.
#2120
MBWorld Fanatic!
#2121
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,615
Received 1,189 Likes
on
856 Posts
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Burmeister High End 3D system
It does not appear so from the photos (looks same on German site). S Class system is $1,000 more in the US, which probably buys the trick speakers. This is GLE:
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 02-05-2019 at 01:35 PM.
#2122
Member
I know its an option, but not if it is the twisting speakers. Looking at pictures it does not look like twisting speakers, thats bad cuz I like the look of them.
Also, I have seen videos of the insulation (soundproofing) of Mercedes side doors that doesnt look that good. How was it on the previous GLE?
Dont want to upgrade the sound system for 5k and then have poor soundproofing and build quality of the doors.
Thanks in advance!
#2123
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,615
Received 1,189 Likes
on
856 Posts
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Soundproofing
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 02-05-2019 at 01:54 PM.
#2124
MBWorld Fanatic!
Greg, are you sure the $5400 3D system doesn't include the rotating tweeters? Even in the E Class, if you opt for the 3D system for $5400, you do get the rotating tweeters (photo lifted from MBUSA Build Your E Class):
#2125
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,615
Received 1,189 Likes
on
856 Posts
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 02-05-2019 at 02:09 PM.