How to Factory Order a Ford: A Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses
Factory ordering a Ford can give your business more control over the vehicle, configuration and equipment you receive instead of limiting your purchase to vehicles currently sitting in dealer inventory.
For businesses purchasing work trucks, commercial vans or multiple fleet vehicles, that can be especially valuable. The vehicle can be planned around the employee, workload, towing, payload, cargo and commercial equipment it will actually need.
This guide explains how the Ford factory-ordering process works, what you should decide before placing an order and what happens after the order is submitted.
How Do You Factory Order a Ford?
The basic process is to choose the Ford vehicle you need, determine the correct configuration, review pricing and applicable fleet programs with a Ford dealer, approve the final build and have the dealer submit the factory order.
For a commercial or fleet vehicle, it is usually worth reviewing the configuration with someone who works with business vehicles before the order is submitted.
Why Order a Ford Instead of Buying From Inventory?
Dealer inventory can be the right solution when you need a vehicle immediately and the correct configuration is already available.
But commercial vehicles are often more specific.
A contractor may need a particular bed, drivetrain or towing package. A Transit buyer may need a certain roof height, body length or cargo configuration. A fleet may need several vehicles built the same way.
Factory ordering allows you to start with the job the vehicle needs to perform and build the vehicle around those requirements.
Factory Ordering Can Make Sense When You Need:
- A specific Ford model or trim
- A particular engine or drivetrain
- A specific cab or bed configuration
- Towing or payload equipment
- A specific Transit roof height or body length
- Commercial packages or options
- Several similarly equipped fleet vehicles
- A vehicle designed around a commercial upfit
Determine What the Vehicle Actually Needs to Do
Before choosing a trim level or checking boxes on an order, start with the work.
Think about who will drive the vehicle, how many miles it will travel, what it will carry, whether it will tow and what equipment will eventually be installed.
Daily Driving
Consider local driving, highway mileage, stop-and-go use and how much time the employee spends behind the wheel.
Payload
Include passengers, tools, materials, permanent equipment and anything else the vehicle is expected to carry.
Towing
Determine the expected trailer type, loaded trailer weight and how frequently the vehicle will tow.
Cargo
Consider how much enclosed or open cargo space is needed and how employees need to access their equipment.
Upfits
Think about shelving, ladder racks, toolboxes, service bodies and other equipment before finalizing the vehicle.
Future Use
Consider whether the employee’s workload or the company’s operations may change during the years the vehicle remains in service.
Choose the Ford Vehicle
Once the job requirements are clear, you can narrow the vehicle choices.
Ford offers commercial customers everything from compact pickups and cargo vans to full-size and heavy-duty trucks. The best vehicle depends on the work rather than simply choosing the largest vehicle available.
Ford Maverick
A compact pickup worth considering for lighter-duty business applications and employees who spend a large amount of time driving.
Explore Ford Maverick →Ford Ranger
A midsize pickup for businesses needing traditional truck capability without moving into a full-size truck.
Explore Ford Ranger →Ford F-150
A full-size pickup with a broad range of configurations for many commercial and fleet applications.
Explore Ford F-150 →Ford Super Duty
Designed for heavier towing, payload and commercial applications requiring additional capability.
Explore Ford Super Duty →Ford Transit
A commercial van platform that can be configured around cargo, service, delivery and passenger requirements.
Explore Ford Transit →Not Sure Which One?
Start with the workload and compare Ford commercial vehicles based on what your business needs them to do.
Find the Right Ford →Build the Vehicle Configuration
After selecting the model, the next step is configuring the vehicle itself.
Depending on the model, this can include the trim, engine, drivetrain, cab, body, bed, axle, packages, colors and individual options.
Ford’s Build & Price tools can be useful for exploring possible configurations. The final build should still be reviewed with your Ford dealer before the factory order is submitted.
Already Built Your Ford Online?
You can use Ford’s Build & Price tool to create the vehicle you want, save the build information and send the configuration for review before the final order is submitted.
Submit Your Ford BuildDetermine Whether Your Business Has a Ford FIN Code
If the vehicle is being purchased as part of a business fleet, determine whether your company already has a Ford Fleet Identification Number, commonly called a FIN Code.
A FIN identifies registered Ford fleet customers and can provide access to applicable Ford fleet programs, ordering resources and other fleet benefits.
A FIN Code is not required simply because someone wants to factory order a Ford. It becomes important when the business is participating in eligible Ford fleet programs.
Learn About Ford FIN CodesDon’t Have a FIN Code?
If your company operates multiple vehicles or expects to purchase additional vehicles, it may be worth reviewing whether the business qualifies.
Ford has eligibility requirements for businesses that want to enroll as fleet customers.
Review FIN Code Information →Plan Commercial Upfits Before the Order Is Finalized
For a work vehicle, the factory vehicle may only be part of the finished product.
Shelving, ladder racks, utility bodies, service bodies, toolboxes and specialized commercial equipment can affect payload, dimensions, electrical requirements and which base vehicle should be ordered.
Planning the upfit before ordering the vehicle can help make sure the base truck or van is configured around the equipment your business intends to install.
Review Pricing and How the Vehicle Will Be Acquired
Before the final order is submitted, review the expected vehicle cost and how the business plans to acquire it.
Depending on the business and vehicle strategy, options may include commercial financing, Ford CommerciaLease TRAC or other commercial credit resources.
The important point is to look at the completed work vehicle, including expected upfit costs, rather than thinking only about the price of the base vehicle.
Review and Approve the Final Vehicle Build
Before the dealer submits the order, review the configuration carefully.
This is the time to confirm the model, trim, engine, drivetrain, colors, packages, options and any other important order details.
Do not assume an online Build & Price configuration automatically guarantees that every selected option can be ordered together.
Model-year changes, option compatibility, commodity restrictions, order-bank status and production conditions can affect the final factory order.
The Ford Factory Order Process
The process brings vehicle selection, configuration, commercial requirements and ordering together before the vehicle moves into production.
The Ford Dealer Submits the Factory Order
Once the configuration and required information are confirmed, the Ford dealer can submit the vehicle into Ford’s ordering system when ordering is available for that model.
For commercial buyers, working with a Commercial Account Manager can make this process easier because vehicle configuration, fleet programs, upfits, financing and future vehicle needs can be reviewed together.
Wait for Scheduling, Production and Delivery
After the order is submitted, the vehicle still needs to move through Ford’s scheduling, production and transportation process.
The amount of time can vary substantially depending on the vehicle, configuration, model year, production capacity, parts availability and other conditions.
That is why businesses should avoid assuming there is one universal Ford factory-order wait time.
Registered fleet customers may also have access to additional order-status and production information through Ford fleet resources.
If your company knows a vehicle will be needed several months from now, it is usually better to begin reviewing the requirement early instead of waiting until the old vehicle has to be replaced immediately.
When Should a Business Start a Ford Factory Order?
Start planning before the vehicle becomes an urgent need.
Order banks can open and close, production schedules can change and some configurations take longer to build than others.
Businesses that forecast replacements ahead of time have more opportunity to factory order the vehicle they actually want instead of being forced to buy whatever is available immediately.
Explore Fleet Replacement PlanningPlanning for the Next Model Year?
Order timing becomes even more important when your business is planning vehicles for an upcoming model year.
We’ll cover that subject in detail in:
When to Order Next Year’s Ford Models for Your Business Fleet
Factory Order vs. Buying From Dealer Inventory
Dealer Inventory May Be Better If:
- You need the vehicle immediately
- The correct configuration is already available
- You are flexible about colors or options
- The vehicle does not require specialized equipment
Factory Ordering May Be Better If:
- You need a specific configuration
- You are ordering several similar vehicles
- The vehicle requires upfit planning
- The order is part of a future replacement plan
- You have time before the vehicle is needed
Ford Factory Ordering FAQ
Can I factory order a Ford?
Yes. Ford vehicles that are currently available for factory ordering can be configured and ordered through a Ford dealer.
Do I need a FIN Code to factory order a Ford?
Not simply because you are factory ordering a vehicle. A FIN Code identifies registered Ford fleet customers and becomes important when participating in applicable Ford fleet programs and benefits.
Can I build my Ford online and send the configuration to a dealer?
Yes. Ford’s Build & Price tools can help you explore vehicle configurations online. The final configuration should still be reviewed before the factory order is submitted.
How long does a Ford factory order take?
There is no single wait time for every Ford factory order. Timing depends on the model, configuration, order-bank availability, production scheduling, parts availability, transportation and other factors.
Can commercial upfits be planned with a factory order?
Yes. Commercial equipment should be considered while the base vehicle is being configured so the truck or van can be ordered around its intended upfit and business use.
Can I factory order multiple Ford vehicles for my business?
Businesses can plan multiple vehicle orders subject to current ordering requirements and production availability. Companies with recurring vehicle needs should also review Ford fleet programs and FIN Code eligibility.
Start With the Vehicle Your Business Actually Needs
Whether you already built your Ford online or need help determining the right configuration, the next step is to review the vehicle before the factory order is submitted.