If you need new pickup trucks or cargo vans over the next 10 months, factory order them NOW.
FACTORY ORDER BANKS CLOSING
Vehicle manufacturer order banks are closing very soon, and demand for new pickup trucks and cargo vans has exceeded supply.
February 28 deadline: 1/2 tons, Ford and Ram DS
March 5 deadline: 3/4 tons, GM
SCARCITY ON DEALER LOTS
Compounding the situation further, stock on dealer lots is already scarce for the makes and models listed below.
1/2 Tons - GM, Ram DS
3/4 Tons - GM, Ford
1 Tons - GM, Ford, Ram Chassis
450/550/5500 - Ford, Ram
Cargo Vans - GM, Ford, Ram
In addition to poor availability, the additional cost for dealer stocks (compared to factory orders) is currently averaging $3,000. This is due to dealer markups based on supply and demand, transport costs, and unwanted specs/options.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
The strong US economy has spurred demand for commercial trucks, prompting manufacturers to focus on increasing production for the US market. This resulted in reduced allocation for the Canadian market. At the same time, the GM strike delayed production by two months, Ford's two new engines were late due to safety checks, and Ram is shutting down the half ton DS plant from March to June for re-tooling.
Since dealer stock vehicles will not be a reliable option, it is critical to anticipate your vehicle requirements and place factory orders now.
For additional information or assistance with planning, contact your Summit Fleet Representative or use the links below.
