Mr. Patrick Joyce of Fontill.,Ontario, is the latest victim of the plot by Mercedes and Transport Canada to discourage Canadians from purchasing their vehicles in the U.S.
- The MRSP spread on these over-priced cars between countries is incredible. Up to 49.1% (before taxes) on the CLK550 Coupe referenced at www.talesoftwoprices.com .
- We have posted the letter Mr. Joyce received below:mercedes-letter.jpg
We went trolling over to the Mercedes-Benz website and reviewed their charts, frequently asked questions and “request a letter of admissiblity” functions. We also found the following statement:
All 2008 models are currently not admissible. We have commenced work with the factory to determine which MY 2008 vehicles can or cannot be modified to meet Canadian safety requirements. The following chart will be updated as information about 2008 models becomes available.
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| Model Year |
Admissible |
Inadmissible |
| |
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| 190-Class |
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| 1992 -1993 |
190E 2.3
190E 2.6 |
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| |
|
|
| C-Class |
|
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| 1994 - 2000 |
|
All C-Class models |
| 2001 - 2007 |
All C-Class models |
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| |
|
|
| E-Class |
|
|
| 1992 |
300D, 300E, 300CE |
|
| 1993 - 1995 |
|
300D, 300E, 300CE |
| 1992 - 1995 |
300TE/E300S/
E320S Wagon |
E320, 400E, 500E |
| 1996 - 2002 |
|
All E-Class models |
| 2003 |
All E-Class Sedans |
All E-Class Wagons |
| 2004 - 2007 |
All E-Class models |
|
| |
|
|
| SL-Class |
|
|
| 1992 - 2007 |
All SL-Class models |
|
| |
|
|
| SLK-Class |
|
|
| 1998 - 2004 |
|
All SLK-Class models |
| 2005 - 2007 |
All SLK- Class models |
|
| |
|
|
| CLK-Class |
|
|
| 1998 - 2002 |
|
All CLK-Class models |
| 2003 |
CLK-Class
Coupe |
CLK-Class Convertible |
| 2004 - 2007 |
All CLK-Class models |
|
| |
|
|
| CLS-Class |
|
|
| 2006 - 2007 |
All CLS-Class models |
|
| |
|
|
| S-Class |
|
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| 1992 - 1999 |
|
All S-Class models |
| 2000 - 2006 |
All other S-Class models |
S500 w/ Guard package |
| 2007 |
S550 w/o Distronic Plus |
S550 w/ Distronic Plus, S600, S65 |
| |
|
|
| CL-Class |
|
|
| 2000 - 2006 |
All CL-Class models |
|
| 2007 |
CL550 w/o Distronic Plus |
CL550 w/ Distronic Plus, CL600, CL65 |
| |
|
|
| ML-Class |
|
|
| 1998 - 2007 |
All M-Class models |
|
| |
|
|
| R-Class |
|
|
| 2006 - 2007 |
All R-Class models |
|
| |
|
|
| G-Class |
|
|
| 2002 - 2007 |
All G-Class models |
|
| |
|
|
| GL-Class |
|
|
| 2007 |
All GL-Class models |
|
|
So our conclusions are as follows:
- Transportation Canada has lost all control over this importing process. They are now being dictated to by the Canadian Car makers!
- And we guess another reason for the wide differences in prices between Canada and the U.S. is that Mercedes has to pay for this expensive web site! When is Cannon going to wake Up!
- How many of these models will be admissible when and if the bumper “safety” law Regulation 215 is amended? We wonder which side of the fence Mercedes is on? Are they for or against the change? Transport Canada won’t tell us, they hide all of this information from the public, I wonder if we confronted the folks at Mercedes what would they say? So here is some homework for all our members! Let us know what they say!
- And if you are really disgusted with this whole mess, please feel free to sign our petition (if you haven’t already) and/or write to your MP or Cannon or the folks at Transport Canada.
March 9th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
To: Mr Patrick Joyce:
Many US dealers disagree with the present situation regarding export/import.
We were able to get much information from US dealers regarding the immobilizers.
If you haven’t done this already, may I suggest it?
Contact a US dealer by phone. visit or ask a friend to ask the following
questions:
Q: Have you previously sold any of these models to Canadians?
Q: What is the difference between the US and Canadian versions?
Q: Are there any outstanding fliers on this version?
Q: Are there any recalls on this version?
Q: May I have a copy of any statement that says both versions are the same?
(often stated in the Manual
a) Try to obtain a copy of the official manual. (local library maybe)
b) Submit anything that appears to be in your favour to TC and RIV xxxxxxxx.
Note: I had originally written TC and RIV Nutcases, however, my wife said that it wasn’t polite, so I removed it.
March 9th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Karen Thomas-Lyttle, of Mercedes Benz Canada may believe that she is telling the truth, when she tells Mr. Patrick Joyce, of Fonthill Ontario, that his 1999 Mercedes can not be modified to meet Transport Canada standards. So long as Mercedes Benz refuses to tell Ms. Karen Thomas-Lyttle, or Mr. Jovce what parts he will need for the required modifications, then he can not possibly perform the required modifications. It all comes down to the matter of withholding information from consumers. By withholding information from Mr. Joyce, Mercedes Benz has been able to say, in effect, “as long as we continue to withhold information from you, your vehicle can not be modified.” Under the circumstances, therefor, Mr. Joyce can not modify his vehicle. The motives behind this answer however, are clear and well known to all of us who are dealing with this problem. While the answer given to Mr. Joyce is, in the absence of certain information, true, it is at the same time, thoroughly dishonest. Mercedes Benz, who have instructed Ms. Karen Thomas Lyttle to give Mr. Joyce their answer, have the required information and are withholding it, from Mr. Joyce. If Mercedes Benz would be honest with Mr.Joyce, they would instruct Ms. Keren Thomas-Lyttle to give him a very different answer. Any vehicle can be modified, given the right information.
March 9th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I wholeheartedly agree with Andrew’s comments above. If the required information is witheld from Ms. Thomas-Lyttle then she is in fact not lying by not being able to produce it. It is really a disgrace and a shame that a company like MB Canada, the purveyor of such world class automobiles, has lowered its business practices to such a slimy level (not a whole lot different from the corner used car lot selling patched up collision “write-offs”) just for the sake of saving a few bucks.
Where is the leadership and regulation of TC and Minister Cannon at a time like this??
March 9th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Here is my conversation with MB Canada. I have contacted Ms. Thomas-Lyttle specifically with my request. It was as follows:
Dear Karen Thomas-Lyttle,
I am in the process of purchasing a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic in theUS.The VIN is: WDBUF87X28B268337 Please be so kind and provide me with the Letter of Admissibility for that particular car.
Thank you in advance,
Andreas Friesen
Here is the response that I have received:
Thank you for your recent inquiry. Please note all 2008 US versionMercedes-Benz vehicles are not admissible to Canada. We are currently working with the manufacturer to determine if a 2008 vehicle can beconverted and the scope of certification work required in order to meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. We expect to have further details at the end of March. Once further information becomes available, our admissibility list will be updated accordingly. http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/index.cfm?id=6872 Best regards,
E. Somerville
CSI Co-ordinator
Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
smart Canada Division
My question is: The 2007 E350 is addmissable, the 2008 is not? Nothing has changed on that car whatsoever. It’s identical. I have bought two brand new Mercedes Benz vehicles in the past from the local dealer, and I am a pretty loyal Mercedes Benz driver, with a passion for their product, but this crap makes me sick. I will not buy another Mercedes-Benz product, simply because of their behavior. It’s like being slapped in the face. I as a consumer should have a choice where I buy, and what I buy. If the regulations at least would make sense, but they don’t! Another manufacturer will get my future business until Mercedes-Benz realizes that they can’t pull that shit any longer. The thing is one is not left with much choice, as all the other manufacturers (or most) are similar with their regulations… Thank you Transport Canada for looking after the consumers in your own country, really makes you shine!
March 9th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hi Andreas,
Welcome to my world, I have the same problem with my 2008 U.S. Corvette, in my garage in Canada (in four days it will be 7 months of inadmissibility).
March 9th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Ms. Karen Thomas-Lyttle expects to have the information sometime in March. Mercedes is simply wihholding this information,until most of their 2008’s in Canada have been sold. They will do the same thing with the 2009’s. I just keep wondering about the bureaucrats at Transport Canada and what their personal individual involvements in all of this have been. It goes back many years and it goes deep.
March 11th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Here is a new twist regarding Volvo. The Volvo dealers in Calgry, Edmonto and Kelowna are charging $1950 for what they claim is a 2 1/2 hour inspection. As of today Volvo of North Vancouver is charging $1895 plus tax and Docksteader is refusing to do inspections because they “don’t have time”. Great isn’t it? Volvo says you have to get it inspected at a Canadian Volvo Dealer but the Canadian Volvo dealer refuses to inspect it so the car never gets approved. Is the Minister of Transport so stupid or crooked to allow this to continue. Easy solution, Allow certivied U.S. Volvo, Mercedes and BMW dealers to certify that the cars meet Canadian safety standards. Are the service departments of U.S. dealerships less skilled than the Canadian ones. Smarten up TC, kick the fox out of the hen house and let Canadian Tire do their Jobs. If a Canadian Manufacturer refuses to hand out their specs ban the sale of that vehicle by them in Canada as well.
Mike
March 15th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I have purchased numerous Canadian & one US model Mercedes Benz. Mercedes and BMW should be above this kind of behavior. This will be my last MB until they figure out how to treat a customer with respect and understanding. Do they not undersatnd that imported cars will create customers who will need parts and service? Will these customers then come back and purchase additional vehicles in the future? Truth is they dont give a $*%^. Thanks MB for the hard time…just letting you know that I’m passing on the GL550 and will be buying the wife a fully loaded Cadillac Escalade.