Production delays/ timeline
#526
Newbie
Received GLE 450 Allocation Slot from Austin Dealer
We placed a deposit about 10 days ago and went on a wait list for an allocation, but did not receive a spot on the dealer's monthly allocation of GLE's until yesterday, June 18, 2019. We have a production/build date of 1st decade of September 2019. We ordered an almost fully loaded GLE 450 with E-ABC (decided not to get the running boards, 3rd row seats, AMG interior, Burmester high end 3D). We were able to get everything included in our order except the rear spoiler and were told by the dealer that it could possibly be added later prior to production or when the car goes to the final processing center before being shipped to us. According to our salesperson, it could also be added by the dealer. We asked when we would get a VIN number and the salesperson checked other orders. The time varied. Some were given when the order went red (when no more changes to the order could be made), at other times it did not appear until the car was shipped. If those dates hold, 2 1/2 months from order to build date sounds great, but not really expecting it given the experiences of others on this forum. I will update this information when the dealer provides more information.
#527
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: New England
Posts: 442
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2020 GLE 450 AMG exterior
According to that dealer book that GregW posted, the spoilers won't be available for production until August, so it sounds like they should be available by the time yours goes into production. I'm hopefully going to get one retrofitted when they become available.
#528
Senior Member
Just got an email about my build from the beginning of April. The SA said it should be here on September. Hopefully that means the production is finally going. (original estimate was November/December)
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GregW / Oregon (06-19-2019)
#529
Just to keep people informed - I ordered a GLE 450 in the UK back mid April with an expected delivery late September.
Was told today it's been pushed back to November. The reason from the dealer is:
Currently the new GLE450 models have all been delayed.
It seems the certification for the new WLTP regulations is causing some problems.
Unfortunately at the moment it appears your new car has been delayed to November.
I will keep watching and hopefully when resolved the production will move forward.
Might have to start looking to get something else...
Was told today it's been pushed back to November. The reason from the dealer is:
Currently the new GLE450 models have all been delayed.
It seems the certification for the new WLTP regulations is causing some problems.
Unfortunately at the moment it appears your new car has been delayed to November.
I will keep watching and hopefully when resolved the production will move forward.
Might have to start looking to get something else...
#530
MBWorld Fanatic!
Just to keep people informed - I ordered a GLE 450 in the UK back mid April with an expected delivery late September.
Was told today it's been pushed back to November. The reason from the dealer is:
Currently the new GLE450 models have all been delayed.
It seems the certification for the new WLTP regulations is causing some problems.
Unfortunately at the moment it appears your new car has been delayed to November.
I will keep watching and hopefully when resolved the production will move forward.
Might have to start looking to get something else...
Was told today it's been pushed back to November. The reason from the dealer is:
Currently the new GLE450 models have all been delayed.
It seems the certification for the new WLTP regulations is causing some problems.
Unfortunately at the moment it appears your new car has been delayed to November.
I will keep watching and hopefully when resolved the production will move forward.
Might have to start looking to get something else...
Mine was ordered March for late May delivery, then June, then July, now December, as with you I will be looking around, probably at X5.
#531
Senior Member
Our GLE350 order is on the train. We ordered March 29. It should arrive in the next week.
Options include driver assist, parking package, advanced lighting package, premium package, heated steering wheel.
Options include driver assist, parking package, advanced lighting package, premium package, heated steering wheel.
#532
I ordered mine end of March, production was scheduled second decade of June. Received email from the dealer...it is end of July now...deep breath... just a damn car... deep breath... look at the folks in this thread...deep breath!
#534
Member
Well, our third order (after letting go of other orders twice for missing stuff), of two 450's are in production. Supposed to be delivered first week of August. Red-lined (early for that, I think), so no changing of the color for me (I go back and for between wanting white and selenite gray). We placed this order in may.
#535
Well, our third order (after letting go of other orders twice for missing stuff), of two 450's are in production. Supposed to be delivered first week of August. Red-lined (early for that, I think), so no changing of the color for me (I go back and for between wanting white and selenite gray). We placed this order in may.
#536
MBWorld Fanatic!
How things can change- was told earlier this week that my car wouldn't arrive until December, was going to look at an X5.
Phone call at dinner time from dealer to say they had a GLE with full UK spec that was ordered for their dealer principal and I could have it if I wanted. On top of my original spec it has 22 inch wheels, off road and towing packs. Will be taking delivery next Tuesday, delighted.
Phone call at dinner time from dealer to say they had a GLE with full UK spec that was ordered for their dealer principal and I could have it if I wanted. On top of my original spec it has 22 inch wheels, off road and towing packs. Will be taking delivery next Tuesday, delighted.
The following 5 users liked this post by Philamg:
attardtony (06-21-2019),
beth22 (06-21-2019),
bigpern23 (06-21-2019),
GregW / Oregon (06-21-2019),
rominl (06-21-2019)
#538
Placed order in May. Was originally told Delivery would be end of June. Now it's end of July. Anything to be concerned about?
Also, our specs were frozen (no changes) almost a week after the order was placed (so way before delivery). Is that normal? Any way to still make tweaks?
Also, our specs were frozen (no changes) almost a week after the order was placed (so way before delivery). Is that normal? Any way to still make tweaks?
#539
So I just had a random call from my dealer.
They "wanted to check something with my order" - after talking now to the 5th individual there, they sent me the order and I saw that it was incorrect.
Two items were missing (AIRMATIC and Park Assist) but they had added an Air Balance Package. No idea where they had this from.
I had the order configured and placed in person on May 4th and everything was setup correctly at the time.
How they have my order wrong 2 months after I placed it beyond me. On the good side I guess there is a PO number.
I will be heading there today to sort things out in person, and depending on how that goes I might cancel the order and go elsewhere.
They "wanted to check something with my order" - after talking now to the 5th individual there, they sent me the order and I saw that it was incorrect.
Two items were missing (AIRMATIC and Park Assist) but they had added an Air Balance Package. No idea where they had this from.
I had the order configured and placed in person on May 4th and everything was setup correctly at the time.
How they have my order wrong 2 months after I placed it beyond me. On the good side I guess there is a PO number.
I will be heading there today to sort things out in person, and depending on how that goes I might cancel the order and go elsewhere.
Last edited by bad habit; 06-22-2019 at 07:58 AM.
#540
Member
My September delivery is delayed to December (order was in early April) with these explanations:
"In regard to the lead time, I am receiving mixed/changing updates from the factory on our system, which I have been querying with head office. It appears the production slot (which we are always told is subject to change) has been moved backwards, closer to the end of the year, which may be due to being a new model. Further, as the vehicle is built in Tuscaloosa, often timings change due to shipping expectations.
(The model as a whole does not start production for the first customer deliveries until July, assuming no delay, and it takes 3 months at least for the first deliveries – production and shipping times). The current date on the system shows December arrival, however, I have been advised to monitor the dates on the system as these may change again."
"In regard to the lead time, I am receiving mixed/changing updates from the factory on our system, which I have been querying with head office. It appears the production slot (which we are always told is subject to change) has been moved backwards, closer to the end of the year, which may be due to being a new model. Further, as the vehicle is built in Tuscaloosa, often timings change due to shipping expectations.
(The model as a whole does not start production for the first customer deliveries until July, assuming no delay, and it takes 3 months at least for the first deliveries – production and shipping times). The current date on the system shows December arrival, however, I have been advised to monitor the dates on the system as these may change again."
#541
Member
orders
My September delivery is delayed to December (order was in early April) with these explanations:
"In regard to the lead time, I am receiving mixed/changing updates from the factory on our system, which I have been querying with head office. It appears the production slot (which we are always told is subject to change) has been moved backwards, closer to the end of the year, which may be due to being a new model. Further, as the vehicle is built in Tuscaloosa, often timings change due to shipping expectations.
(The model as a whole does not start production for the first customer deliveries until July, assuming no delay, and it takes 3 months at least for the first deliveries – production and shipping times). The current date on the system shows December arrival, however, I have been advised to monitor the dates on the system as these may change again."
"In regard to the lead time, I am receiving mixed/changing updates from the factory on our system, which I have been querying with head office. It appears the production slot (which we are always told is subject to change) has been moved backwards, closer to the end of the year, which may be due to being a new model. Further, as the vehicle is built in Tuscaloosa, often timings change due to shipping expectations.
(The model as a whole does not start production for the first customer deliveries until July, assuming no delay, and it takes 3 months at least for the first deliveries – production and shipping times). The current date on the system shows December arrival, however, I have been advised to monitor the dates on the system as these may change again."
Well, the ordering process this time has been strange for lots of us. If you ordered in person, and didn't see it get into Netstar and accepted, it may have kicked out some options. That's what happened to us, twice on each of our two cars. The dealer could have expected to add it later before it was red lined. We chose to order a third time, and it seems to have gone through without missing things. This order was done in May and has been redlined and is in production now.
#542
MBWorld Fanatic!
Really feel for you all, I was very,very lucky.Would be good if they actually told customers why the orders are delayed. Will post a report of what I find when I get my car on Tuesday but have a feeling it will take me the three years I own the car to get to grips with everything.
#543
So, I ordered on April 30th, in Northern California, and according to the screenshot he sent:
Status: A4 - Final D/S
Decade Planned: 19/08-2
Decade Scheduled: 19/08-3
Est Prod Date: 08/30/2019
Status: A4 - Final D/S
Decade Planned: 19/08-2
Decade Scheduled: 19/08-3
Est Prod Date: 08/30/2019
#544
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,607
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2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Production status
It seems, "on paper" at least, times for recent orders are now running about 3 months, which I would guess is near normal. There is some evidence production is reaching some kind of stability. The fly in the ointment is getting early cars that are being held for some retrofit or completion moving better.
#545
Member
At least, I hope that with all these production delays, MB will have fixed the now known issues by the time they will deliver the late delivery ordered cars...
#546
It seems, "on paper" at least, times for recent orders are now running about 3 months, which I would guess is near normal. There is some evidence production is reaching some kind of stability. The fly in the ointment is getting early cars that are being held for some retrofit or completion moving better.
#547
I placed my order on 2/26/2019 and it arrived at the dealership on 6/10/2019. I drove it home on 6/13. I was told to expect delivery by the end of May and they later updated that to the end of June. Things worked out pretty closely for me.
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Betsyg825 (06-23-2019)
#548
Mercedes just doesn’t care. I had pretty much the exact experience. Mine has been B5 since early May and nothing. Goes in and out of production still. As a long time customer, I am very disappointed. They just do not give a darn.
QUOTE=GregW / Oregon;7721079]Supposedly my vehicle started production and was assigned a VIN on 2/21, almost 6 weeks ago and has been in status B4 the last few weeks! Production date was 3/13, 19 days ago. So, I contacted MBUSA Customer Assistance Center a week ago and have had a couple emails & calls since with no information. So after another call to CAC today I finally get hold of the "executive referral manager" (fancy title, huh), who only told me GLE production has been on hold pending parts and he is trying to get more information. He was clueless beyond that.
Over the weekend I also got on my sales guy and the dealer sales manager. and told them they need to get on MBUSA, as well. Today I hear from my sales guy, who had called Distribution this morning and was told my order would be given "top priority" and should go B5 by the end of the week. He asked if my MBUX Tech Package or my designo trim selection was an issue and was told no. Apparently the sales manager also sent an email to Distribution and the West Coast Sales team explaining that a long time Mercedes customer was very unhappy and, what was going on?
So, at this point I will believe it when I see it. I must say if Mercedes handles all orders like this when there are production issues they are going down in reputation fast (and I will help!). Why NetStar can't be updated with a realistic best guess production date when the original one is not met I don't know, but it hasn't been in my case. I'm trying to keep the faith.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=GregW / Oregon;7721079]Supposedly my vehicle started production and was assigned a VIN on 2/21, almost 6 weeks ago and has been in status B4 the last few weeks! Production date was 3/13, 19 days ago. So, I contacted MBUSA Customer Assistance Center a week ago and have had a couple emails & calls since with no information. So after another call to CAC today I finally get hold of the "executive referral manager" (fancy title, huh), who only told me GLE production has been on hold pending parts and he is trying to get more information. He was clueless beyond that.
Over the weekend I also got on my sales guy and the dealer sales manager. and told them they need to get on MBUSA, as well. Today I hear from my sales guy, who had called Distribution this morning and was told my order would be given "top priority" and should go B5 by the end of the week. He asked if my MBUX Tech Package or my designo trim selection was an issue and was told no. Apparently the sales manager also sent an email to Distribution and the West Coast Sales team explaining that a long time Mercedes customer was very unhappy and, what was going on?
So, at this point I will believe it when I see it. I must say if Mercedes handles all orders like this when there are production issues they are going down in reputation fast (and I will help!). Why NetStar can't be updated with a realistic best guess production date when the original one is not met I don't know, but it hasn't been in my case. I'm trying to keep the faith.[/QUOTE]
#549
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: New England
Posts: 442
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2020 GLE 450 AMG exterior
So I've expressed my unhappiness to my SA and the dealership GM, obviously, particularly in regards to the lack of communication from MBUSA. Honestly, it's not their fault and they're just trying to keep me happy enough not to abandon my order (but do they really care? The car will sell). I've really thought about going to Audi, but frankly, I'd much rather have the GLE than the Q7. If I go to Audi, I want a Q8, but for now, anyway, I need the third row.
So I guess the question is, who can I escalate this to in the hopes of deriving some sort of satisfaction from MBUSA? Anyone? Or are we, as MB customers, simply fools for going along for this ride?
So I guess the question is, who can I escalate this to in the hopes of deriving some sort of satisfaction from MBUSA? Anyone? Or are we, as MB customers, simply fools for going along for this ride?
#550
Junior Member
Trailer Hitchs on hold till end or the year
We traded our 2014 and made a deposit on a 450 on May 17th at our local western Canadian Dealer. Our car has not been ordered yet as the dealership is waiting for “allocation”. In a followup email the SA notifies us that the trailer hitches are “on hold” until the end of the year. The trailer hitch is a deal breaker for us. (If MB does not have them, I’m not going aftermarket).
The Dealership has nothing in stock or in production that comes close to our order.
Fortunately we have a nice 2014 with a fixed trade in value to drive for the next 10??? Or so months till MB get their act together.
By the time the Dealership is actually able to order our specification in January we might be able to access a GLE 580 or a plug in hybrid.
Maybe it isn’t all bad having to wait!!
The Dealership has nothing in stock or in production that comes close to our order.
Fortunately we have a nice 2014 with a fixed trade in value to drive for the next 10??? Or so months till MB get their act together.
By the time the Dealership is actually able to order our specification in January we might be able to access a GLE 580 or a plug in hybrid.
Maybe it isn’t all bad having to wait!!