How to Order a Car From the Factory

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

When you can’t find the exact vehicle you want, it’s possible to order a car from the factory, but you might be wondering how exactly do you do that? Read on to find out how.

You’ve probably already been looking for the vehicle of your dreams, and much to your disappointment, cannot find the vehicle. Due to supply chain interruption and chip shortages beginning in 2020, new vehicles are becoming more and more difficult to find as it is, let alone finding one with the features you want. With a little patience, it’s still possible with a custom factory order.

Pick Out the Car, Truck, or SUV You Want

Most car manufacturer websites have a section called build and price where you can go through the selections of trim levels, colors, engine, transmission, packages, extras, and more. Usually, you cannot order from these pages, though, so what do you do now?

Print out the details of your build specifications, save or email them and bring them to your preferred dealership. Alternatively, you can also go to your dealership and ask to build a vehicle with them.

Get in Touch with Your Preferred Car Dealership

An advantage of building a vehicle with the dealership is that they have more access to available specifications. What does this mean? If a particular color isn’t available or a specific combination of extras can’t be build together, they can tell you about it right there. A dealership may be able to tell you adding a specific feature might mean it takes longer to build. There’s always a chance a certain color choice or something else means it can be made quicker.

Disadvantages of Ordering a Car from the Factory

You’ll have to wait. When you order a car from the factory, it is not sitting in a giant parking lot somewhere waiting to be shipped. This means you’ll have to wait while the factory builds your vehicle. How long it takes for the manufacturer to build your custom vehicle depends on a lot of factors. The only way to find out would be to ask your dealer. Sometimes they can be built in a matter of weeks. Other times it can be months and months.

Advantages of a Custom Factory Car Order

You get what you want. It’s custom, and it’s yours! You get to choose the exterior color, the interior color, seating material, trim level, audio equipment, engine, appearance packages, safety packages, and more.

Car assembly line.

A Dealership Will Order a Car from the Factory for You

After finalizing your vehicle preferences, the dealership will order the vehicle on your behalf. They can attach your name to the vehicle order so it is confirmed. When you order a car from the factory, the dealership will also want to know how you intend to pay for it. You may have to pay a deposit and/or fill out a finance application.

FAQ’s

Can a dealership order a car for you?

Yes.

How long does it take to order a car?

Ordering the vehicle at a dealership shouldn’t take more than an hour. Waiting for the car to be built can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

When does the loan start on a factory order car?

The loan starts when you get the car.

When do I hand over my trade when ordering a car from the factory?

Usually when your new vehicle arrives.

Have you, or do you plan to custom order a car, truck or SUV?

Let us know about your custom vehicle order in the comments below. Or if you have a question, ask away!

Lauren has been working in the automotive industry both in the U.K and in the U.S. for over 10 years. She has driven hundreds of vehicles, not only new cars but beaters without heaters, fast cars on fire, slow cars in snow, off-road trucks in the mucks, and old pickups with pups. She’s driven heaps of Jeeps, miles in muscle and once took her gran in a car from Japan. Lauren is a member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association.

lauren@trustedautopros.com

This post was last modified on September 16, 2021 11:38 am

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