Which Car Manufacturer Has the Fastest Shipping?

When buying a new car, you usually go to a dealership. You walk in their lot and browse what they have. Then, you pick the one you like best. But there is also an option of factory ordering a car. This is when you order a car straight from the manufacturer, instead of from a dealership.

Factory orders are not really common in the US, because the American car buying experience has been centered around dealerships. But some car manufacturers, particularly those producing electric vehicles (like Tesla), have operated on a factory-order model. And now even traditional automakers are getting into the market of factory orders.

But factory orders often come with long wait times and not-so-fast deliveries. Before you factory order a car, find out which car manufacturer has the fastest shipping times. Let's find out more about ordering straight from the manufacturer. Also, learn about how long you must wait to get your new car.

An Overview of Factory Ordering a Car

Factory orders are not yet the norm in the US. However, it's becoming a more accepted process. Many car buyers in the US have started to consider this option of car buying for several reasons.

• Customers get the exact car as advertised: This is perhaps the biggest advantage of a factory ordering a car. You can rest assured the manufacturer will deliver the exact same features as advertised—the specific features, trim level, color, and whatnot. Dealerships, on the other hand, may not carry all the models advertised. But you can get more specific choices when ordering straight from the manufacturer.
• Customers get to avoid dealer markup: Some dealers tend to mark up the price of popular models. They put the price tag above the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price to make more money. But if you order from the manufacturer, you lock in the MSRP and avoid this markup. It also ensures that you are also protected from any price fluctuations that might happen while the car is being built.
  

But factory orders also have other factors influencing the deliveries from the factory to the customer. These are all the factors you must consider when you order from the manufacturer.

• Overall wait time: Some factory-order cars take a while to get to the customer's hands due to long wait times. You must account for how long it takes for the car to be built, plus the delivery time. Not all manufacturers have short wait times.
  
• Factory distance: If the factory building your car is located far away (or even overseas), it'll take longer to ship. This can add weeks to the wait time depending on your location.
• Shipping method: The chosen shipping method (e.g., ship vs. train) can also affect how long it takes to get your car. Faster methods are typically more expensive although most manufacturers will likely prioritize safety
  
• Production schedule: The time it takes for your to be built is often much longer than shipping it. Shipping a car may take half the time it requires to be assembled.
  
• Availability of parts: Some manufacturers have trouble with parts shortages. If this happens, your car delivery will be delayed.

A manufacturer's shipping time is directly related to the total wait time of your factory-ordered car. The longer it takes for a car to be built, the longer it also takes to get delivered.

Wait Times Based on Car Manufacturers

Since cars take longer to be built than delivered, looking at wait times can give you an idea of the delivery speed of each manufacturer. Based on the following time data, Honda and Tesla have some of the shortest wait times.

Kia and Hyundai

These two brands are related; Hyundai Motors owns 51% of Kia. The two Korean automakers share components, so their supply chain challenges are the same. These challenges affect their wait times simultaneously. Some models, like the IONIQ 5, take 3 months for factory orders. Meanwhile, Hyundai Elantra can take between 2 and 4 months. Kia Sportage and Telluride take up between 2 and 3 months.

Subaru

Customers placing orders for a new Subaru are informed to wait for delivery between 1 and 4 months. In some cases, it may take longer. The problem is that Subaru experienced a chip shortage and it hasn’t dealt with the problem efficiently. Any custom-ordered Subaru in 2024 in general has two to three month wait times depending on the model. Subaru Ascent may take up to 4 months, but Subaru Forester may take only a couple of months.

Toyota

Toyota deliveries depend more on the available allocation instead of custom orders. So the wait times depend on the model and spec of a certain Toyota you want. Most Toyota models don’t have a long wait time. But for certain models like Prius, GR86, Sienna, and Land Cruiser, the wait time is 3-4 months for an allocation that’s not already spoken for. Additionally, Toyota hybrids and plug-in hybrids will have a much longer wait time compared to other models.

Honda

Among the traditional automakers, Honda may have one of the fastest wait times. Honda factory orders or allocations only take a short while before delivery. Its average wait time is two months or less. Some models, like Honda Accord and Ridgeline, can be delivered immediately. Civic, CR-V (also the hybrid model), Odyssey, and Pilot only have one to two months of wait times. The only models that aren’t readily available are the Civic Si and Civic Type R.

Ram and Jeep

Belonging to the same parent company (Chrysler), Ram and Jeep have the highest new car inventory right now. But while the lot inventory for these cars is easily available, the case is not the same for factory orders. The Ram 1500 has a wait time of two to three months while Ram Super Duty takes up to three to five months. A factory-ordered Jeep will take between eight to ten weeks (more than two months) to complete.

Ford

Ford is not particularly fast when it comes to factory orders. A Ford Bronco takes the longest to be built (and, we assume, to ship as well)—the wait time is six to nine months. Ford F-150 models take between five and six months for higher trims, but less than three months for XL, XLT, and Lariat. A Ford Mustang will take three months to be built. And finally, the F-250 and F-350 will take two to three months.

Tesla

Since Tesla commonly takes factory model orders, the company regularly updates wait times for all of its models. Tesla's wait times can be checked on the official website. Most Tesla models have short wait times of less than a month. The longest wait times are reserved for Model Y Long Range, which takes between one and three months. Model X Dual-Motor (with Cyberstream wheels) also takes around the same wait time.

How Other Manufacturers Fare

BMW

As a luxury car manufacturer, BMW puts a premium on customer service. This includes its shipping service. BMW often utilizes enclosed transport to shield its vehicles from possible harm during transit. But while BMW's average cost of shipping might be on the higher side, many buyers are satisfied with the service.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz also prioritizes a high-quality shipping experience. The manufacturer offers a variety of delivery options; customers can even pick up their new vehicle directly from the factory in Germany. While delivery times can vary, Mercedes-Benz aims to provide efficient transport while maintaining its luxury standards.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen's production is on a global scale. Its shipping times vary depending on the production source and the final destination. Volkswagen uses a blend of shipping methods and works with various auto transport companies to widen its range of delivery options and dates available to the customer.

How Car Manufacturers Ensure Fast Shipping

Car manufacturers do everything possible to refine their delivery process. They prioritize speed in their supply chain. They focus on not only having an efficient production line but also a speedy delivery from the factory to the customer's address. Here are the ways a manufacturer can ensure speedy delivery:

Efficient Shipping Processes

Car manufacturers hone their shipping process by identifying the most effective routes and transport methods. They use data analysis on shipping routes and load consolidation to minimize transit times and avoid congestion. They may also use predictive planning for potential delays to help manage the inventory flow.

Technology Usage

Car manufacturers use different kinds of technologies to streamline the shipping process from route planning software to automated logistics systems. This allows for quick identification and resolution of any shipping delays. Meanwhile, enhanced communication tools keep all stakeholders (shipping companies, dealerships, truck drivers, and customers) fully informed of the delivery status.

Collaboration with Shipping Companies

Partnerships with specialized auto shipping companies are crucial to trim down shipping times. By working closely with these companies, car manufacturers can secure priority shipping slots and ensure their vehicles are loaded and transported swiftly.

Just-in-Time Manufacturing

Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing techniques reduce the time it takes for a vehicle to reach the customer. This production strategy, prioritizing efficiency and minimal inventory, means vehicles are often built to order and then shipped directly upon completion. The streamlined process cuts down on storage time and speeds up the delivery process. Toyota led the way in using the JIT manufacturing strategy. The automaker has a highly synchronized production-to-shipment flow with fast turnover and short wait times.

The Bottom Line

Based on the available data, Honda and Tesla are some of the leading manufacturers with fast shipping times. Other companies, like Toyota and the Korean automakers, often don't have an extended waiting period. But their delivery times depend on the availability of certain models. Meanwhile, luxury automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz also try to compete with their premium delivery services

A1 Auto Transport competes with other shipping companies the manufacturers use. For a fast, safe, and reliable auto shipping experience, depend on us to deliver your car. Get a free quote and start planning your car shipping.