What is the Mercedes Benz special order?

In this article, we answer the following questions: What is the Mercedes Benz’s special order? Should you use a special order to buy a Mercedes Benz?. We also discuss the European delivery program.

What is the Mercedes Benz special order?

At the time of purchasing a Mercedes Benz, customers can choose to buy any standard variant but Mercedes Benz also allows customers to configure and customise their car according to their liking. 

This process of configuring the car is called a special order as it will be unique to the customer. The special order can be done in many ways depending on the car model they choose. Models like the Mercedes Benz AMG can even be painted in the colour desired by the customer.

The level of customization also varies as the price of the model increases. For models like A, C  and E classes it is only possible to select Designo packages and limited optional equipment at the time of special order. However, the more expensive models like Mercedes Benz AMG, Maybach can be configured in hundreds of different ways.

The  Mercedes Benz special order is also known as the Designo Manufaktur program. It allows the customer to select different exterior paint for the vehicle from the designo catalogue. Customers can also customise the interior colour and select the material of seats. Designo offers customers the following choices to select.

  • Designo paintwork- designo paintworks offers colours different from the colour options available with the standard models. Customers can even select the type of finish. Painting the car with Matt, Metallic or lustre finish is possible. The designo experts can help the customer decide which paintwork will be best for the car.
  • Designo Upholstery- it offers options in the material of seats and leather. Customers can choose from exclusive Nappa leather, dual-tone leather and special designo Nappa leather in the choice of the customer. 
  • Designo trim elements- Customers can select the colour and type of interior trim elements. Open-pore wood, carbon fibre or piano lacquer options are available in designo packages.
  • Designo extra- designo extra allows for the choice of different interior colours. It is the most customization package, even the roof trim, the steering wheel can be individualised as per the customer.

How much time does it take to deliver a special order Mercedes Benz?

It can take from 8 weeks to 12 weeks depending on the designo package selected at the time of configuring the vehicle. Some models can only be configured with designo upholstery and a few interior trim elements. Such models will take comparatively less time than models with designo paintwork.

Customers can configure the vehicle online from the Mercedes Benz official website or contact designo experts at the authorised dealership.

What is Mercedes Benz’s direct to customer initiative?

Mercedes Benz introduced a new sales model called direct to the customer. This will allow customers to order and purchase the vehicle directly from the Mercedes Benz factory instead of going to the authorised dealers. 

This sales model is currently being introduced in the markets like India. It is no longer possible to negotiate the price of the vehicle. The dealership does not have vehicle inventory. After placing a special order, customers have the option to get delivery from the customer care centre at the Mercedes Benz factory or deliver the car to the nearest dealership.

The authorised dealerships will remain functional and provide test drives, give delivery of the vehicle but the invoicing will be done directly by the Mercedes Benz. This will allow for uniform prices and transparency in the sales process.

The waiting period in case of a special order will be greatly reduced as the inventory will be maintained at the factory instead of dealer stockyards or VPC vehicle preparation centres. The dealership will provide the after service for the vehicle.

The cost of the vehicle will be the same across the market. Mercedes Benz will introduce a discount scheme to benefit the customer during holiday seasons.

The Sindelfingen factory in Germany offers all the designo packages. The factory in Stuttgart, Germany is the mother factory, all the development, production and shipment of engines, transmissions and CKDs are shipped from this location. It is also the headquarters of Daimler AG, recently named Mercedes Benz group AG. 

The Stuttgart factory has a history extending back over 115 years and it is the highest tech location for the production of cars and hybrid drive systems. 

The plant has six total facilities, Untertürkheim and Bad Cannstatt are responsible for the production of engines and the forge is also located there. The transmissions are manufactured in Sindelfingen. Mettingen has the foundry for axle production.

What is the Mercedes Benz European delivery program?

Mercedes Benz European drive program allows great benefits like 10 % savings on the Maximum retail price of the vehicle, additional discounts on airfare and hotel accommodations and free factory tours in Stuttgart. The discount is higher on the flagship models like the S class.

The customer centre in the biggest Mercedes Benz factory in Sindelfingen, Stuttgart also organises factory tours and has a Daimler restaurant for the customer. Customers can also enjoy various historic Mercedes Benz models on display as they wait for their car delivery.

Customers can walk into their local dealerships and enrol for the European driver program. This program allows customers to purchase or take delivery of their Mercedes from the customer centre in the Sindelfingen factory. Mercedes Benz will also arrange a 15 days European exploration tour with free vehicle insurance and a full tank of gas.

At the end of the tour, the vehicle can be dropped off at a given location and the car can be shipped to the respective country. Mercedes Benz will bear the cost of shipping the vehicle but some countries may require additional charges for the customs clearance.

After customs clearance, the customer can take their Mercedes home from the local dealerships.

The European tour can be extended for more than 15 days and customers can avail of 7 different tour packages for an additional cost which is billed in Vehicle order, but the vehicle must be dropped off at the following locations:

  • Germany – Hamburg, Berlin, Bremerhaven, Frankfurt, Munich, Sindelfingen
  • France – Nice, Paris
  • Switzerland – Geneva, Zurich
  • Spain – Madrid (extra fee)
  • UK – London (extra fee)
  • The Netherlands – Amsterdam
  • Italy – Milan, Rome, Florence (extra fee)
  • Slovenia – Koper (extra fee)

The total delivery time for the vehicle can be from 7 to 10 weeks depending on the destination. The vehicle also goes through the vehicle preparation centre before final delivery to the customer. The vehicle preparation centre ensures the vehicle is to proper factory standards, if there are any faults they are rectified under the VPC warranty. All the vehicle functions and accessories are checked before handing over to the customer.

The Mercedes Benz European drive program can be a good deal for customers as it offers discounts on selling price and since the cars are manufactured in Germany overall it can be cheaper compared to buying the Mercedes overseas.

Other articles about Mercedes Benz you may be interested in

Which is the most reliable Mercedes Benz?

Why is Mercedes Benz so dominant in formula 1?

What is the meaning of CDI in Mercedes Benz?

Conclusion

Special order a Mercedes Benz can be difficult as there are so many options to choose from but designo experts are there for consultation. The cost of special order is considerably higher compared to the standard models. Even with direct to customer and European delivery programs the time required for the delivery of the vehicle can be 6- 8 weeks. Hence special order is not for someone who wants to get the delivery immediately.

FAQs: What is the Mercedes Benz special order?

What is special in Mercedes-Benz?

Mercedes Benz cars have the latest advanced driver assistance systems. They are also the safest cars on the road and get 5-star ratings in the EURO NCAP crash tests.

Can you order 2022 Mercedes?

Yes, 2022 Mercedes Benz can be ordered by placing the order at an authorised dealership or completing the order on the official website.

How long does it take to get a new Mercedes?

It can take 7-8 weeks to get a new Mercedes Benz. the waiting period also depends on the special order and choices in the optional extra in the car.

Can you customize Mercedes?

yes, it is possible to customise a Mercedes Benz car. Brabus is the most famous independent company that customises and also perform tuning of the Mercedes Benz models