According to an IGN article, the Wii U will launch in the spring/summer of 2012.   
 

Pritchard was asked by GameSpot whether or not Sonic Generations would see a release on the console. He said, "The timing just doesn't work. Generations releases this November, and the Wii U is coming out next spring/summer. 

While I doubt a Sega employee knows what Nintendo's schedule is, the sooner the better. Nintendo needs to release the Wii U as far as possible from the release of the 720/PS4.

Well i mean it is their executive vice president, it's not like it's an artist.