Our Complete Guide to Factory Orders at Thompson Sales

We typically have over 100 new vehicles in stock at any given time at Thompson Sales. From Buick SUVs to rugged GMC trucks, our inventory runs the gamut of four-wheel-drive vehicles and family-friendly SUVs to off-road-ready pickups and a few legendary Hummer EVs.

Having vehicles on our lot gives you a chance to test-drive one whenever you want a closer look ahead of making a purchase. However, there are a few options when it comes to choosing a new vehicle that meets your exact requirements. One of them is placing a custom order from the factory. Keep reading to learn more about this process.

What Are Factory Orders?

A factory order lets you place an order directly from the manufacturer rather than buying a new vehicle from our lot in Springfield, Missouri. The advantage of placing a factory order is that you can pick and choose the exact features you want within the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Why Order a Car, Truck, or SUV Directly From the Factory?

The main reason for placing a custom order from the factory is to tailor your vehicle as much as possible. The dealership keeps models in stock that have the most popular features that shoppers want. 

You might see models close to your ideal configuration but fall short due to missing options or add-ons you don’t want. A factory order provides full control of what the manufacturer offers, allowing you to add advanced features, luxury upgrades, and the exact colors you want without unnecessary extras.

Factory orders simplify the purchasing process by reducing the pressure to accept available options at a dealership or hoping the right model comes in stock. You can take your time researching and finalizing the details of your chosen vehicle, leading to a more informed decision. You can minimize buyer’s remorse by purchasing a vehicle you truly want.

Some of the new vehicles on our lot have some mileage on them depending on how many test drives people take in them. You will get a car, truck, or SUV with minimal mileage, free from extended exposure to weather or showroom wear. Additionally, automakers frequently include incentives, cash offers, and loyalty discounts for factory orders, such as discounts or promotional financing, to encourage these types of purchases. 

One thing we highly recommend is test-driving a similar vehicle to the one you want. That way, you can have some idea of what you’ll be driving when the car, truck, or SUV arrives.

There is one caveat to placing a factory order. It can take a few months before you see the model in your garage.

How Long Do Factory Orders Take?

For General Motors, factory orders may take two to three months or longer, depending on which vehicle you order, how many orders are ahead of yours, and how long it takes to get the parts into the assembly plant. 

What’s the Process of Placing an Order From the Factory?

Start when you apply for financing to pre-qualify for an auto loan. Then, our finance team will discuss the results of your application. Auto lenders will need to verify some information from you, including income, debt-to-income ratio, credit score, current job status, and other financial data, to determine what price you can afford for an auto loan.

Next, there are two ways to go. You can either make an appointment with our dealership, and our team will help you place an order through our system. It starts when you select a custom order for a vehicle and then fill out our handy form.

The other option is to go through the factory order portal on the GMC or Buick website. We recommend looking over all of the options to get an idea of what you can or cannot add to each specific model before placing the final order. We also strongly suggest talking to us when finalizing the order because we can guide you through the nuances of this process. Our team has plenty of experience with custom factory orders.

The next part is finalizing the build and double-checking that everything is correct. Remember, this is a big decision, and you want to get a vehicle that you absolutely love. 

You will need to pay a deposit, which is typically less than $1,000. Then, we will confirm the order and notify the factory. Our team can give you an estimated timeframe based on current information. For example, we can let you know how long it has taken to get our orders in, which gives you a rough guess as to when you will get your vehicle.

The best place for information about when your new car, truck, or SUV will arrive is through our system. We can let you know when the vehicle is in transit and when it should arrive.

What Features and Options Can I Get With a Factory Order?

You can peruse what features you can get based on the model you want before you actually place a custom factory order. If you’ve already seen what’s available on our lot with a test drive, you can go to the Build & Price shopping process through GMC or Buick.

As you move through this process, you will see the price of the vehicle go up or down based on the features you add to or subtract from your build. 

1. Choose the model and trim you want.
2. Select a powertrain, like two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
3. Look over the exterior color options. Some premium colors may add to the cost.
4. Choose the wheel design and size, followed by the tires and wheel locks. 
5. Add the color of the interior and the seat materials you want.
6. Select a seat type, like sport seats, heated seats, or seats with lumbar support. Some of these options can have multiple choices to add.
7. Look over the packages available for each trim. Packages add a collection of features, such as floor liners, convenience amenities, and technology.
8. Finally, there are options for all parts of the vehicle, including the exterior, cargo management, mechanical, safety, and electronics.

After these steps, the manufacturer will summarize your build and the price. Remember, you can add or subtract features to change the price. And you can go back to any step of the build to change things.

How Much Do Factory Orders Cost Compared to Vehicles on Our Lot?

The final price of your vehicle is no more or less than picking one off of our lot. The price depends on the trim, features, and options you select.

How Do I Get Auto Financing for a Factory Order?

The easiest way is to apply for financing through our website. We have long-standing relationships with lenders, including GM Financial. You can also talk to your bank or credit union to apply for an auto loan before placing a factory order. 

If you apply for financing through Thompson Sales, we will attempt to get you the best possible deal for your situation. 

Alternatives to Factory Orders

We want you to have the best possible driving experience, and it starts with finding the perfect vehicle for you or your family. There are a couple of alternatives to factory orders that take less time if you don’t have a couple of months to wait for a custom order.

Use Our Vehicle Finder Service

We have a handy vehicle finder service that can locate the vehicle you want. We just need some information from you when you fill out our form:

• Name
• Email
• Phone
• ZIP Code

Then, these details about the vehicle you want:

• New, Used, or Found on CarBravo
• Year
• Maximum Mileage
• Maximum Price
• Make
• Model
• Trim
• Color
• Automatic or Manual Transmission
• Message to our team

After you fill out the form, our team goes to work. We search a combination of online databases and our dealer networks to find the best match for your criteria closest to your location. We’ll even reach out to the seller to confirm if the vehicle is still available.

The benefits of using our vehicle finder service include:

• Access to a wider selection of makes and models beyond our lot
• Save you time and effort
• Convenience of having experts find your car, truck, or SUV for you

Choose a Vehicle With Most of the Features You Want

We have a wide selection of new, used, and certified pre-owned models on our lot. There could be one in our inventory that has most of the features you want, and you could drive it home much sooner than waiting for a car, truck, or SUV from the factory.

If you find a model that lacks one or two features, like a different color or a power liftgate, can you be okay without having everything? It depends on what you prioritize. Our team is happy to help you find the best model for you!

How to Start a Factory Order for Buick and GMC Vehicles

Simply reach out to us, and we’ll guide you through the process of placing a factory order. Contact us or call (417) 763-6811 to talk to our team.