Looks like Ford is going to Build to Order like Europe.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...ering-changes/

 

my closest ford dealer has a few super dutys on the lot, all but one are either barebone XL or CC trucks. 1 lariat. They do have quiet a few f150s, a few rangers and a couple of mavericks. The closest GM dealer had 2 new trucks last time i went past.

 

Picked my truck up last Saturday. There were more salesmen standing around than inventory

 

Interesting to see nothing but used cars in the new car lot and even on the showroom floor. There’s 3 - 4 empty spots between each used car on the lot for marketing appearance.

 

ZERO new vehicles of ANY KIND at my local Ford dealer. About 15 used; ;mostly Escapes and F150's.

 

Same. Just looked at a Ford dealership that had a garage and three lots and all empty. A few work trucks, but nothing else. Same at the GM dealership as well.
I hope the saved some cash as they must really be struggling keeping the doors open. I would not be surprised if smaller dealerships just close the doors if something doesn't change soon.

 

I have a 2022 coming, dealer said yesterday 2 weeks for me ordered in spring, also mentioned increased inventory to start for dec Jan. Will take a while to fill lots back up I’m thinking.

 

I'm wondering if it will ever be the same again? They may be seeing this business model works better for them. No inventory, no incentives, less overhead, and vehicle sales at or near MSRP, some even over. Look at Ford's stock. It languished for years below 10 bucks. Now it's 20. Personally I like to shop the lots when I need a vehicle.

 

Your guess is as good as anyone else's. Nobody's crystal ball is clear enough to read more than a month or so into the future. I know Granger (I think) chimed in for some normalcy closer to year's end, but that's just seven weeks away. That's very optimistic but it could be. Everything I've read in the trades and business journals says this has not even yet hit its peak. And when the dust settles, what will things look like? Certainly not like they were a couple years ago. I think closer to the way in was until the 1950s where showroom models stayed on the floor for customers to get a feel for the car. There was no inventory. Customers used artistic brochures to order their car. Something like that. But what will emerge depends upon what presents the most profitable business model. That might be some level of inventory with a focus on ordering. But if one dealer or company is only working on sold orders and another goes back to big lots with huge inventory, the one that makes the money will be what we get. Again, I think it will be a hybrid model. And ordering won't be anything like it now is. Waiting six months for a vehicle is absurd. It has to go to a six week or less order to delivery model for the public to accept this.

 

Ya gotta wonder by not having full inventory at Ford (all) dealerships how much sales loss there is.

Some people buy when they weren't really yet truly looking and see some thing they like as they drive by the dealership and that makes them interested and come in. And others planning on buying want to see the colors and options on various sales units before they pull the trigger.

Seems like the factory would want enough on the lot to promote and lead to sales. As it is now, I hope they recover!

 

The dealer I work at is trying to buy anything from auction he can. Of course there is nothing new to buy, so nothing used either. He actually bought a big class a pusher motorhome this summer. It was a 2016, 9,000 miles. New it was $750,000. He paid $179,000 for it, and sold it in two days for around 200 is what I heard. Used certified pre-owned we ae selling around 100 a month. We do have some new stock, which is selling well.. We don't sell ford so no new trucks, we sell a bit of used though.