When is last chance to make an order change?

[amtrucker22]

When would be the last chance to make a change to your order? Would it be before your production date is given to you, or before the week of production?

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[OH2AZ2OH]

When would be the last chance to make a change to your order? Would it be before your production date is given to you, or before the week of production?

Changes can only be made prior to receiving a production date.

 

[amtrucker22]

Thank you for the quick reply. It is much appreciated.

 

[kennethjk]

Also with Ford I would be afraid of changing anything, they my move you back to a 2023

 

[TheVirtualTim]

This is sometimes referred to as the "blend" date. Manufacturers can't just build cars in the same sequence as the orders coming in. For example... you don't want to change the paint color for each car coming down the assembly line. So if the paint section is set up for Rapid Red ... then they'll do as many cars in that same color as possible.

There are other nuances. We don't have mechanical sun-roofs that open. But my Ford friends explained that to install a sun-roof could require two works ... one above the car and one below. They have to ride with the car for 3 assembly line stations to complete the install. When they finish that car, they go back to their starting point and can do another sun-roof install. But in the meantime ... at least two OTHER vehicles would have gone past the starting point that cannot have a sun-roof. So only 1 in 3 cars can have one and they have to "blend" how they are built.

This is just one of many reasons why scheduling for production is a little more complicated than it might seem.

The main point is ... if you change your mind on something, then whatever you change could screw up the choreography of the assembly line. So all changes are locked out once you hit that date.

On my own car, I asked the dealer to include the "Interior Protection" package (floor mats). They forgot to add this on my order. Once I realized it was missing, I asked if they could update the order but at that point the blend date had already passed and changes were locked out. Keep in mind that floor mats are not actually "installed". They just toss the box in the back as the car rolls off the end of the line. It's not the sort of change that could screw up build order. Regardless...once the blend date happens and the car is scheduled for production ALL CHANGES are locked out -- no matter how insignificant.

 

[amtrucker22]

This is sometimes referred to as the "blend" date. Manufacturers can't just build cars in the same sequence as the orders coming in. For example... you don't want to change the paint color for each car coming down the assembly line. So if the paint section is set up for Rapid Red ... then they'll do as many cars in that same color as possible.

There are other nuances. We don't have mechanical sun-roofs that open. But my Ford friends explained that to install a sun-roof could require two works ... one above the car and one below. They have to ride with the car for 3 assembly line stations to complete the install. When they finish that car, they go back to their starting point and can do another sun-roof install. But in the meantime ... at least two OTHER vehicles would have gone past the starting point that cannot have a sun-roof. So only 1 in 3 cars can have one and they have to "blend" how they are built.

This is just one of many reasons why scheduling for production is a little more complicated than it might seem.

The main point is ... if you change your mind on something, then whatever you change could screw up the choreography of the assembly line. So all changes are locked out once you hit that date.

On my own car, I asked the dealer to include the "Interior Protection" package (floor mats). They forgot to add this on my order. Once I realized it was missing, I asked if they could update the order but at that point the blend date had already passed and changes were locked out. Keep in mind that floor mats are not actually "installed". They just toss the box in the back as the car rolls off the end of the line. It's not the sort of change that could screw up build order. Regardless...once the blend date happens and the car is scheduled for production ALL CHANGES are locked out -- no matter how insignificant.

Excellent write up and very informative. Highly appreciated!

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