Amid a sea of supply chain constraints and a shift toward more of a build to order model, Ford retail orders have understandably increased steadily with each passing month for some time now. More and more customers are choosing to order their next vehicle rather than purchase one from a dealer lot, whether that be out of necessity or simply the desire to spec that vehicle exactly the way they want it. Regardless, this trend continued in October, as 2023 Ford retail orders shattered last year’s record, according to the automaker’s most recent sales report.
Ford’s retail orders for the 2023 model year were up a whopping 134 percent over 2022 MY vehicles at this same time last year, reaching a new record at 255,000 units. These numbers have steadily risen over the past few months after hitting 76,000 at the end of August, which was 41 percent more than one year ago and the fifth consecutive month that over 50 percent of the automaker’s retail sales came from previously-placed orders, too.
In September, Ford retail orders reached 197,000 units for the 2023 model year, which was a 244 percent increase over the 2022 model year. That was good enough to set a new record – at least temporarily – while the automaker also recorded its sixth straight month where more than 50 percent of its retail sales came from previously placed orders – which is also a new record.
What’s particularly interesting about these numbers, however, is that there are plenty of restrictions in place in terms of 2023 Ford orders, too. 2023 Ford Bronco order banks are only available for carryover order holders and dealers and will not open to new retail customers, while 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select orders were recently paused as well. Regardless, this upward trajectory figures to continue in November, especially after order banks for the all-new 2023 Ford Super Duty just opened up last week.
We’ll have more on Ford’s retail orders soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for comprehensive Ford news coverage.
Comments
What’s new for the 2023 Ford Ranger??
One Ford dealer I spoke to said they take factory build to order at MSRP. On the lot mark ups above MSRP vary model to model for vehicles on the lot for immediate delivery.
Lot markups = Impatience premium.
Lower inventory for dealers means less overhead, i.e., cost of money to maintain inventory. Direct purchase translates to no inventory costs. Dealers are making some good $$$ these days. Customers, are going to spend more for new and used for the foreseeable future.
Sad, Yes they’ve gotten record orders, but their communication with customers who have been waiting 1+ year for delivery has been despicable. Latest email from Ford? It apologized for the poor communication, and said they would be communicating every 45 days now. Of course they gave me NO UPDATE with that communication. This life-long Ford driver will be picking up his LAST Ford (if it ever arrives!).
No update because nothing to update.
This is a joke. Ford breaks a record for orders — but cannot fulfill orders…over and over and over.
This is beyond a joke.
Why are you surprised? What have you not heard about supply chain?
If Ford wants to continue to break records they need to fill orders. Mavericks more plants or more shifts. The Lightning is way behind. If Ford wants another winner make a ground up Maverick size EV truck for a homeowner like me that doesn’t cost over 50K, more like 30 to 40K. Let them use lower cost LFP batteries and get 250 miles and all should be AWD.
Make the aero of the truck better than a brick like the F150. If they don’t someone will next year.
Has there ever been a pickup that had good aero? Not even cab over or forward control had good aero.