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A lot of SUVs are classified as light trucks and the chicken tax does apply here. It's likely why the EQS is German made and the EQS SUV is built in Alabama.
Sorry, but all due respect Patrick Morgan is incorrect in stating the Chicken Tax has anything to do with the EQS SUV being assembled in Alabama. SUV's - even those built on a truck's chassis - do not qualify as "Light Trucks" for taxing purposes as long as there is a rear seat. They are considered passenger vehicles. Pickup trucks and commercial vans are basically the only thing that qualifies, which is why they are all assembled somewhere in North America if they're going to be sold in the US. (Well, with the exception of Ford's Transit Connect commercial van. For the cargo version, Ford imports the Transit Connect from Europe with rear seats so they can classify it as a passenger car to get around the tax, then has the seats removed. Unsurprisingly, the fed has taken issue with the loophole.) There are still a lot of crossovers and SUV's imported from Europe and Asia, and they wouldn't be price competitive if the 25% Chicken Tax applied. EV's like the EQS SUV [and soon EV batteries] sold here in the US will often be manufactured in North America for cost savings and shorter lead times.
Sorry, but all due respect Patrick Morgan is incorrect in stating the Chicken Tax has anything to do with the EQS SUV being assembled in Alabama. SUV's - even those built on a truck's chassis - do not qualify as "Light Trucks" for taxing purposes as long as there is a rear seat. They are considered passenger vehicles. Pickup trucks and commercial vans are basically the only thing that qualifies, which is why they are all assembled somewhere in North America if they're going to be sold in the US. (Well, with the exception of Ford's Transit Connect commercial van. For the cargo version, Ford imports the Transit Connect from Europe with rear seats so they can classify it as a passenger car to get around the tax, then has the seats removed. Unsurprisingly, the fed has taken issue with the loophole.) There are still a lot of crossovers and SUV's imported from Europe and Asia, and they wouldn't be price competitive if the 25% Chicken Tax applied. EV's like the EQS SUV [and soon EV batteries] sold here in the US will often be manufactured in North America for cost savings and shorter lead times.
Sorry, but all due respect Patrick Morgan is incorrect in stating the Chicken Tax has anything to do with the EQS SUV being assembled in Alabama. SUV's - even those built on a truck's chassis - do not qualify as "Light Trucks" for taxing purposes as long as there is a rear seat. They are considered passenger vehicles. Pickup trucks and commercial vans are basically the only thing that qualifies, which is why they are all assembled somewhere in North America if they're going to be sold in the US. (Well, with the exception of Ford's Transit Connect commercial van. For the cargo version, Ford imports the Transit Connect from Europe with rear seats so they can classify it as a passenger car to get around the tax, then has the seats removed. Unsurprisingly, the fed has taken issue with the loophole.) There are still a lot of crossovers and SUV's imported from Europe and Asia, and they wouldn't be price competitive if the 25% Chicken Tax applied. EV's like the EQS SUV [and soon EV batteries] sold here in the US will often be manufactured in North America for cost savings and shorter lead times.
Correct.
To expand, it's the reason Subaru put seats in the bed of their Brat. And why Toyota and Datsun pickups were shipped "for final assembly" without beds, which were built and painted in the US.
Transit vans and Sprinters without bodies are also shipped "for final assembly."
It's also the reason that a VW Westfalia Camper cost $7,000 more in the 80's, than one with a center seat.
For pickups, the Chicken Tax was the reason Toyota built the cooperative NUMMI plant (now Tesla).
Not the case for Mercedes, BMW or others who have built plants in their biggest markets, for efficiency. You can still identify Chicken Tax Toyota pickups, by the more faded paint on their US beds!
M-B built their SUV factory in 1993. It's still their only SUV plant (ignoring the G Wagon).
Best bet would be to call the parts dept and give them your VIN and have them look up the 48V battery. For the record, I do hope the price you were quoted is correct. On Google, assuming I’m searching for the correct battery, I’m seeing $1200-$1600 for a used one. That is still better than I thought, so maybe the quote you were given is correct…however it might be the dealer cost.
48 volt battery replacement cost
Interesting.. yes this makes me highly suspicious of the quote I was given. Perhaps that's the internal warranty cost but once it's on the consumer to pay I bet that battery price + labor & tax totaling near $2,500-3K will be charged.
Originally Posted by HotRodW
Sorry, but all due respect Patrick Morgan is incorrect in stating the Chicken Tax has anything to do with the EQS SUV being assembled in Alabama. SUV's - even those built on a truck's chassis - do not qualify as "Light Trucks" for taxing purposes as long as there is a rear seat. They are considered passenger vehicles. Pickup trucks and commercial vans are basically the only thing that qualifies, which is why they are all assembled somewhere in North America if they're going to be sold in the US. (Well, with the exception of Ford's Transit Connect commercial van. For the cargo version, Ford imports the Transit Connect from Europe with rear seats so they can classify it as a passenger car to get around the tax, then has the seats removed. Unsurprisingly, the fed has taken issue with the loophole.) There are still a lot of crossovers and SUV's imported from Europe and Asia, and they wouldn't be price competitive if the 25% Chicken Tax applied. EV's like the EQS SUV [and soon EV batteries] sold here in the US will often be manufactured in North America for cost savings and shorter lead times.
See, this is why I like this form I'd always thought otherwise and wondered how on earth other imported SUV's could be competitive. Thanks for sharing!
I think you will be so satisfied with your GLE 63 S Coupe! You will get the hand-built and more powerful version of my V8 engine - jealous! Video below is fascinating to watch
Don't get me wrong, you will have issues but they can be fixed. Complexity is a byproduct of what makes vehicles like these so wonderful to drive and special. Unless you are (and I don't think this is the case) planning on owning past 100K miles, you will be happy with your purchase.
Haha I actually did find that video and watched the whole thing already. Definitely very interesting. I just wish my entire vehicle was assembled by one guy.
The engine I'm not too worried about, the M177 seems to be reliable so far. Its the rest of the pieces that have me a bit concerned. I went through with the order and still haven't cancelled yet, so I am still hopeful.
I have no plans to sell the car, but I also have no idea if I'll hit 100k+. My current car (Subaru BRZ) is my first and only vehicle, bought new and only 32k miles after 7 years.
As such, I was considering an extended warranty, so your bit of info about the battery not being covered is interesting.. I'm going to guess its because batteries have a limited lifetime, but if its clearly a defect and not just a lifespan issue, I wonder if one could successfully argue for warranty coverage.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
I'd always thought otherwise and wondered how on earth other imported SUV's could be competitive. Thanks for sharing!
