How to Custom Order Your New Ford
In general, most people who want a vehicle buy it off the lot.
That’s how our grandparents did it. How our parents did it (Brown? Really, Mom? Eye roll.). How you’ve probably done it before.
But you can break the cycle: order your new Ford and get a vehicle that will be more in tune with your needs and lifestyle.
The process is easy, and customization won’t cost you any more than picking the blue pickup truck off the lot – in fact it can cost less. As Edmunds explains, “When you buy from dealer stock, you may have to settle for a vehicle with either more or less equipment or your second or third color choice. Moreover, the dealership pays interest on stocked vehicles at a predetermined monthly rate to the manufacturer.
“When you factory order, you get exactly what you want, in the color you want, and the dealer doesn’t have any finance charges -- which may reduce the cost to you.”
The process is easy, and you can order online or through your Mullinax dealership. Here’s how:
Say you’ve done your research and you want an F-150, the most popular truck in North America.
Go to the Mullinax Ford custom order page and follow the prompts in the Start Your Custom Order form.
You are under no obligation to purchase anything and if you change your mind about the vehicle, you don’t have to keep it.
- In the form, pick the make first –in this example, the F-150. If you click “interested,” a box will pop up asking for your name and contact information. Fill it out and a Mullinax team member will follow up with you to answer questions.
- Click “build” instead and the site takes you to a page to select the model. Let’s go with the Lariat and choose the two-wheel-drive configuration with the 6.5-foot box.
- Then you select your trim. Here’s where you can pick your paint color, engine, transmission, axle ratio, wheels, tires, seats, available options and other details. The page will keep track of your choices as well as any additional costs or changes as a result of your decisions. For instance, two-tone paint for our fictional F-150 would add $250 to the price.
- When you finish the form, you’re ready to finalize your order. A Mullinax dealership representative will contact you to verify your selection, discuss your preferences, explain the timeline for your vehicle and submit your order to Ford.
If you don’t want to deal with the form, just come by the dealership and we’ll be happy to answer your questions and walk you through the process.
You can track your vehicle as it’s being built. As soon as a VIN is assigned, your dealership representative will let you know. You can use it to track your vehicle on a special order-tracking page on the Ford website.
Your contact at the dealership will also let you know when your vehicle is ready and schedule a time for you to come by and finalize the sale. Just like any purchase from Mullinax Ford, the process is simple and stress-free, and there are no dealer fees.
Then the best part: drive your new custom-built Ford home and enjoy it!
You probably still have some questions. Let’s look as a few of the most common ones:
- How long will it take to have my vehicle delivered?
Orders can generally be built and delivered in about three months, but lead times vary by model and configuration. Rest assured that Ford will make every effort to expedite your order.
- Can I custom order a leased vehicle?
Yes! People do it all the time. The process is just as easy for a lease as for a purchase.
- Is there an extra cost for ordering a vehicle?
No. Neither Mullinax Ford nor Ford Motor Company charges extra for custom orders.
- What if the price changes after I order my vehicle?
Ford offers Price and/or Incentive Protection on most models. Contact us for details.
- If I order a vehicle, will it be eligible for Ford incentives?
Absolutely! Your custom order is eligible for qualifying incentives either at the time you place the order or when the vehicle is delivered, whichever you prefer.
- What happens if I change my mind and decide I want a different vehicle – or don’t want to buy anything after all?
You are under no obligation to buy. You can change your mind for any reason, and we will just put the vehicle on the lot as a stock unit.
- Can I finance my purchase (or lease) of my ordered vehicle?
Of course. We'll be happy to discuss financing options with you. We can work with your bank or credit union or arrange financing through Ford Credit.
One thing you can do is get prequalified through your financial institution. Doing so helps you understand your credit score, which can guide you when selecting and building your preferred vehicle.
While we’re talking money, remember that your Mullinax representative can also help with your trade-in.
- Is custom ordering a new thing? Or just getting more popular?
Custom ordering has long been an option. It’s more popular in Europe than here, but more American buyers are taking advantage of the process lately.
Cox Automotive (the parent company of Kelley Blue Book) estimates that one in three vehicle buyers is likely to order their next vehicle.
Why? Changes in the auto industry. During the pandemic, production issues caused by a worldwide microchip shortage meant fewer popular models on dealership lots. Consumers, who found fewer stock models to choose from, began ordering instead, opting to build the vehicle they wanted, even if it meant waiting for delivery.
- Why should I custom order from Mullinax Ford?
Because, unlike many of our competitors, we never charge dealer fees, which can save our buyers hundreds of dollars per vehicle. Pricing and deals are locked in – just add tax and tag to the figure we give you. Plus, we believe in an easy, stress-free, no-hassle, no-haggle sales experience.
What will your next Ford be? Let Mullinax Ford help you explore the benefits of custom ordering. Contact us or come by the dealership today.
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