order a new car
Enthusiast

How Long Does It Take to Order a New Car?

Looking to invest in a new vehicle? Odds are you won’t find exactly what you want at a dealership. Pandemic delays and microchip shortages are still affecting the entire industry, two years later. As a result, many drivers have tried to order a new car directly from the factory. While this customization option sounds ideal, the wait times are extensive.

A recent analysis conducted by Cars.com showed just how bad the situation has become. We are now far from the days of early pandemic sales. To buy a new car in 2022 means you’re paying well above MSRP. As if inventory shortages weren’t tough enough, you’ll find it difficult to snag a deal, even on popular holiday weekends.

New-car inventory has dropped 70% from approximately 3.4 million vehicles to around 1,015,000 from April 2019 to April 2022.

With car part shortages affecting production, automakers are also having to make sacrifices beyond limited quantities. A number of automakers have begun producing vehicles without certain features. For example, BMW produced 3 series and 4 series models without touchscreens to accommodate the microchip shortage. All and all, with these factors in mind, the process of buying a new car involves well thought out planning or at least some adaptability.

How long does it take to order a new car?

Here’s the thing: If you want to customize a vehicle to your liking, expect long delays. Forget the days of walking into a dealership, taking a quick test drive, and driving away in your dream car within a few hours. Custom ordering a vehicle could take anywhere from weeks to several months depending on the make and model. With common name brands that are high in demand, like Toyota and Lexus, you can often expect longer wait times.

How do I order a new car from the factory?

You can order a new car directly from a brand’s website, where you’ll have the option of selecting interior features, safety add-on’s, and other available upgrades. After you configure a vehicle to your liking, you’ll typically need to pay dealer fees and a down payment. In many cases, this deposit can be applied to your vehicle purchase. Depending how “made-to-order” your vehicle is will likely determine your wait time. On average, it takes about two months for the whole process to happen. But as mentioned, it really depends on the type of car you’re buying.

Tips for speeding up the process:

There are a few things new car shoppers can do to accelerate the ordering process:

  1. Plan ahead. The sooner you begin the buying process, the less time you’ll have to wait. If you know you’ll be in the market for a new vehicle next year, start planning your purchase now.
  2. Be flexible. Do you need every luxury upgrade? Probably not. Consider making a top three list of the features you’ll actually use on a day-to-day basis. Super sophisticated car tech will bump up your wait time due to microchip scarcity.
  3. Buy online with an E-Shop tool. Some brands initiated a fast and efficient online buying tool during the pandemic to meet the needs of quarantine constraints. Now is still a great time to make use of these programs if a particular brand has it available.

Should you order a new car from the factory?

Though we agree it’s not worth paying the price of a new car unless you absolutely love it, if you can handle the wait times, ordering from the factory might be your best bet for getting what you want. Just keep in mind, patience is a virtue of the automotive market in 2022. Know this before you head off to the dealership this year.

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Michaella Malone
Michaella Malone is a content specialist and full-time freelancer with 5+ years of experience working with small businesses on online platforms. She is a graduate of Florida State University (Go Noles!) and avid traveller, having visited over 25 countries and counting. In addition to blogging, ghostwriting, and social media content, she has contributed to the development of English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculums for international programs.

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