Can anyone explain how Ford FINDS a vehicle within a certain area that matches the truck that one is ordering? I was told that Ford and GM both LOOK within a 500 mile radius with their computer "FINDER" system BEFORE they actually order the truck. How does this work and how many times does the system actually find the exact truck that we ordered so as to accelerate the actual delivery of a vehicle, seeing how it has already been produced and is sitting on some dealers lot?

 

A Ford and GM dealer can log into and use the vehicle locator system that each manufacturer provides. Each system allows you to look for a particular vehicle based on model, color and options. You can also specify how far out (i.e. radius) you want to look. The vehicles that show up are ordered and purchased by other dealers as either sold units or for dealer stock for their dealership.

If your local dealer does not have the vehicle in stock that you want, he has 2 oiptions. Either order one for you or look to see if another dealer has one that will work. The "Locator" system is used for the latter. Only vehicles that have been produced (built) show up in the locator systems.

Keep in mind that it usually costs you more for a vehicle that a dealer has to "locate" and get versus one out of his own inventory. You have the costs of going afyer the vehicle to consider. The dealer that has the truck is not obligated to give it up to another dealer looking for it. When it comes to SuperCrews, a particular dealership might not have the factory allocation to get one quickly. Then locating one is the quickest method.

Some posts have mentioned waiting a long time for their ordered truck. Production schedules and allocations to a particular dealer affect when the vehicle will be built and delivered. If your local dealer doesn't have say any 04 Supercrew allocations for the current month and 3-4 allocations the following month, then your ordered truck might not get scheduled until those allocations become available.

SRAces
USAF (ret)