How often does Mercedes-Benz launch a new model in Japan?
Not as often as Japanese makers because they have so many more models. But the life cycle of Japanese cars is not that much shorter than our cars. Developing a fully remodeled product takes about seven years. We have four major model lines – the S-Class, E-Class, C-Class, A and B-Class, so I would say every other year, we have a launch of a new model. Then you have the derivatives, such as station wagons of the C-Class, E-Class, the coupe of the E-Class and S-Class. This year we will have three launches. We had the E-Class in May, the E-Class coupe will be launched in July and the facelift for the S-Class is scheduled in autumn. How long is the waiting time for a car? Between 4 to 6 months from the time you place an order, if it has to come from Europe. The majority of our cars are pre-ordered based on the extensive data analysis and market research on what kind of car and options Japanese consumers are looking for. So, if you share the taste of many Japanese, your car may be delivered
