What's The Deal With Ford "Factory" Orders?

What's The Deal With Ford "Factory" Orders?

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AgentC

Original Poster:

21 posts

141 months

Saturday 7th March 2015
quotequote all
My dad ordered a new B-MAX a few weeks ago and he assures me that he was told by the dealer that it would be ordered direct from the factory.

Skip to yesterday and apparently the dealer is having big problems with dozens of customers waiting for their cars. They're saying the cars are stuck at the Vlissingen/New Flushing port. Dealer apologised to my dad for the delay and gave him the Vin number.

I checked it on ETIS today to see if there is any reason for the delay and found out the car was built in November. Do Ford not do proper factory orders and you have to make do with a car built 3/4 months ago at a minimum?

I've checked out some pre reg/delivery mileage B-Max on Autotrader and have found one built nearly two years ago!

This might come across a bit petty but I've just taken delivery of a new car that was built in early/mid February so know it is possible.

rehab71

3,362 posts

203 months

Saturday 7th March 2015
quotequote all
It could be damaged or need a software update or something like that.

Having an order number won't help you anymore than just having the VIN.

I don't know of any delays at Flushing, although they are trying to ship and transport literally thousands of vehicles so delays are inevitable I'm afraid.

AgentC

Original Poster:

21 posts

141 months

Saturday 7th March 2015
quotequote all
rehab71 said:
It could be damaged or need a software update or something like that.

Having an order number won't help you anymore than just having the VIN.

I don't know of any delays at Flushing, although they are trying to ship and transport literally thousands of vehicles so delays are inevitable I'm afraid.
I except that things can go wrong and delays occur but I can't fathom how a factory order can be made in the past.

My car was built, delivered and collected by me coming from Bratislava via Emden, Immingham, and my dealer, in 23 days. I told my dad it might be 8-12 weeks for a factory order which he was fine with, but given that we now know the car isn't a factory build and that it seems it takes possibly 4 months from build date to delivery....

He'll be getting an update from the dealer on Monday so we'll see what transpires.

mat205125

17,790 posts

226 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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AgentC said:
....... but given that we now know the car isn't a factory build .......
Yes it is! Where else was it going to have been made?

If the car is the exact specification that you have ordered, then I don't what the problem is.

If the car was drawn from airfield stock that had been up to it's sills in mud for the last 18 months, then I can understand the concern, however that doesn't appear to be the case here.

Sheepshanks

36,679 posts

132 months

Monday 9th March 2015
quotequote all
mat205125 said:
Yes it is! Where else was it going to have been made?

If the car is the exact specification that you have ordered, then I don't what the problem is.
He was led to believe that the lead-time in the factory was the reason for the delay. Now it turns out the car allocated had already been built a couple of months before, in November. It's now March.

What on earth are they up to that they can't extract a car from inventory over a period of a couple of months? Something fishy is going on.

blujay10

583 posts

243 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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I ordered a new Focus Titanium X 10th january. Dealer said definately have it by 1st march. 1st of february was told it was "locked in factory with a build date sometime the next week" On the wednesday preceeding the 1st of march i chased the dealer to be told that there was a "little" delay. last week i was informed that Ford underestimated the demand for the new focus especially around the 1st of march, but dont worry the car has been built to with my factory options and is now sitting at Dagenham waiting delivery. may be able to pick the car up on the 15th or 16th but nothing definate. Good grief. Disappointing to say the least.

IanCress

4,409 posts

179 months

Tuesday 10th March 2015
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I'm waiting on a Fiesta which was due mid February. Had an email to say that due to being unable to meet exceptional demand the data has been pushed back to late March. Hoping to get some news any day now on further progress.

glasgowrob

3,284 posts

134 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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Just bought an ecosport for the wife today. 15 registered too us as first owner build date March 2014

JJ55

724 posts

128 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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I've just ordered a transit custom & been told I won't get it til sept. Demand is just so high.

blujay10

583 posts

243 months

Thursday 12th March 2015
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Well some good news, just heard from the dealer that the Focus has arrived with them! Unfortunately I cant collect until wednesday evening - really? When i asked why they responded with "we are just to busy" To be fair I am having the body protection stuff applied which they threw into the deal. They have confirmed my build date as 5th Feb 2015. It still amazes me that Ford didnt anticipate the demand especially on the 1st march!Just over 10 weeks from order date to delivery, assume this is normal?

rehab71

3,362 posts

203 months

Thursday 12th March 2015
quotequote all
glasgowrob said:
Just bought an ecosport for the wife today. 15 registered too us as first owner build date March 2014
You won't get that until June at the very earliest as they're built in India and have very long lead times.

rehab71

3,362 posts

203 months

Thursday 12th March 2015
quotequote all
blujay10 said:
Well some good news, just heard from the dealer that the Focus has arrived with them! Unfortunately I cant collect until wednesday evening - really? When i asked why they responded with "we are just to busy" To be fair I am having the body protection stuff applied which they threw into the deal. They have confirmed my build date as 5th Feb 2015. It still amazes me that Ford didnt anticipate the demand especially on the 1st march!Just over 10 weeks from order date to delivery, assume this is normal?
10 weeks is pretty good for a factory order. Hope you're happy with your new car!

glasgowrob

3,284 posts

134 months

Thursday 12th March 2015
quotequote all
rehab71 said:
You won't get that until June at the very earliest as they're built in India and have very long lead times.
sitting in their yard getting its PDI today

was built march last year registered yesterday




rehab71

3,362 posts

203 months

Thursday 12th March 2015
quotequote all
glasgowrob said:
rehab71 said:
You won't get that until June at the very earliest as they're built in India and have very long lead times.
sitting in their yard getting its PDI today

was built march last year registered yesterday
I didn't see the 2014 bit! Enjoy!

Rick Cutler

635 posts

230 months

Thursday 12th March 2015
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Ford Ranger Wildtrak is 12 months!

AgentC

Original Poster:

21 posts

141 months

Saturday 14th March 2015
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Just to update this, my dad decided to cancel the order after the dealer were still unable to contact their transport company and did not know where the car was, along with 30+ other cars.

He's now had an offer on another car he's going to test drive tomorrow.

The manager was very interested in how my dad knew when the car was built/knowledge of how Ford operate. I guess most buyers (and Ford sale personnel!) have never heard of etis.