It’s crazy how dysfunctional ford is with production and delivery. Follow the Tesla model where you can order online and pay for it then wait for it to arrive at the house. Not saying all Fords have to be this way but when we are talking the upper tiered models like the GT500 or Raptor it’s a travesty we have to deal with this nonsense.
Tesla lobbied many states to pass legislation specifically for them to allow manufacturer direct to consumer sales. Rivian is building a factory in Georgia, yet still can't sell their vehicles here since the carve out was for Tesla only (but there are ways around it. IIRC, they 'sell' it in Illinois but deliver to GA). Also, most manufacturers have agreements with their dealerships that forbid them to sell direct to consumers.
Ford at least allows your to order exactly what you want. Toyota is a take it or leave it model for their trucks. Toyota builds whatever they feel like building and then they ship it to each region. If you want something specific, you try and snipe a truck in transit that is close to what you want. But be quick, as other dealers might grab it first. I thought long and hard about a Tundra TRD Pro and between $5-10k ADMs and have to settle for whatever was ordered, I said no thanks.
