"JohnH" wrote in message
...

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:38:19 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:



Why ship one from the US to Holland? Why not just get the Mercedes
badged
version in Europe? I understand they are a dime a dozen over there.


They cost more in Holland than they do here. Don't ask me why, maybe the
same reason the Nikon lenses cost almost twice what they do here.

DOT, the EPA, and Customs are very strict with regard to vehicles meeting
US specs before being imported into the country. There are such things as
'gray market' autos imported, but the owners go through a hassle to get
them brought up to spec. (At least, this was the case several years ago.)
Now that Dodge has the right to sell the vehicle here, I'd expect it to be
even more difficult to import a gray market version. Shipment round trip
would probably be less than $2K.

When I was in Germany, it was not possible to buy a Mercedes direct from
the company made to US specs. Mercedes of America (or whatever the name
was) had a deal with Mercedes that prohibited it. I haven't checked with
Mercedes or Dodge, but I'd doubt that things have become any easier.

This wasn't true for all auto makers. I was able to buy a Saab made to US
specs while stationed in Germany.


I didn't realize that. I know that several people have taken delivery of
US spec'd M5s in Germany and then shipped them here.

Eisboch