Got this message from my dealer in regards to an ML I put on order

"Thanks for getting in touch. The ML's have been delayed in production due to a hose clamp that was found to have a problem. The first fix did not do the job, the 2nd one is now being deployed and the production line is now up and running. That is the MBUSA official word as of yesterday when the announcement was made of a problem in the first place !.

I would suspect that your vehicle will be built later in the month. As of yet, your truck is still not built. Keep in mind, everybody in the US who ordered a ML in the last 5 weeks is in the same boat. SORRY!!"

Anybody have more information? Specifics?

We ordered our ML like one month ago and we still haven't received this information. Our production date is september so perhaps they don't want to worry people too much thinking that things will be fixed for this period.

Well, it's got to be more than a hose clamp if the following from my saleperson today is true:

"Greg- We just talked to the Distribution Department and they have added a 3rd shift. They are one month behind according to the rep. They worked over the weekend and produced 700 units.

That's as much info as I have at this point."

I assume he meant 700 units last week? If they've added a shift, that must mean new employees and/or overtime--I don't like the sound of that. My truck was scheduled to be completed by May 10. I have road trip plans in June, so I hope they get their act together.

I'll have to look back at my notes during my factory tour to see just how many they can produce at this plant on this line. This model has been being built since Dec 04 so i would assume they are at full production already. Not necessarily capacity though.

This is from the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International website (obviously not yet updated for the W164):

It takes under 22 hours to build the M-Class

3.3 hours in the Body Shop
11 hours in the paint shop
1.5 hours to travel from Paint Shop to the Assembly Line
4.4 hours at the Assembly Line
Approx. 1.5 hours at the Shipping Line
Square footage of plant: Over 1 million square feet

Factory Output

per year: 80,000 plus
per day: 300 plus
per hour: 18 plus
1 M-Class approx. every 3.3 minutes

I assume with the plant upgrade and improved processes the new model production is above these figures.

That looks about right for when I visited. I though I remembered them saying 350 units per day with two full shifts, so I may have been close.

Yes this is true my father is in the same boat. His was delayed one month also.

I heard this week that the EPA wasn't happy with something to do with the painting process at the factory and they had to strip and re-paint some M's? Anybody heard anything on that?