WillSD

Post or PM the specs and I'll put in a test order for you.

The product source book indicates that "feature availability varies by model, trim level and region sold".

In the past, this program was only available to the "Select" dealer body. It was expanded in the 2010 model year to include the "Contact" dealers. If your previous orders were placed by a Contact dealer, they were rolling the dice or had a special agreement with Ford (no chance of that, however, since the playing field is level for all dealers [sarcasm off]).

Ford issued a Focus launch update this morning. Retail orders not equipped with MFT began scheduling on 3/23/2011 upon receipt of "OK to Ship" of initial stock orders. Retail orders with MFT began scheduling 4/7/2011 upon receipt of "OK to Ship" of initial stock orders. Average daily shipments have grown 70% per week since shipping began in early March. All units produced currently are shipping immediately. Once final quality inspections are completed on the remaining units in storage, Ford expects an uninterrupted flow by mid-May. Approximately 18,000 retail units have been produced; 7,200 have been shipped.

"D" plan = Dealership employee purchase plan (Blue Oval Certified dealers only); it is slightly higher than "A" (Ford employee) and "Z" (Retired Ford employee) plan prices but is a great deal for the dealership employees.

Payment for vehicles is not due until the unit is physically delivered to the dealer. Years ago the clock started ticking as soon as the unit was released from the plant (and the dealer was later reimbursed for interest charges incurred during transit). The current billing system greatly improves the dealer's cash flow position.

ulev1st -- Ford has been very forthright in their allocation information regarding the Boss and Laguna Seca. Your dealer should have a very good idea of their total allocation and quarterly distribution of said allocation. We are a very small dealership and received one Boss allocation via lottery. Our sales representative contacted us immediately with the good news and information on which quarter our Boss would be produced. Your order will show "Material Hold" until your dealer receives allocation for the unit. Contact your dealer and find out what their total Boss and Laguna Seca allocation is and where your order slots into that allocation. And yes, you can order a vehicle which does not end up in production. If the ordering dealer has no allocation, the unit is not going to be built.

Ford is now holding vehicles which have been shipped at the receiving ramps. The transport companies can not load the "held" vehicles until cleared by Ford. Certain 2011 F150, Explorer and Fiesta are currently being held at ramps awaiting clearance for final delivery. The only ETA we provide customers is provided by Ford via Vehicle Visibility. When we call Ford, all we are told is that the vehicle is being held for quality control purposes. Ford's current allocation/production/delivery system leaves much to be desired.

Have your dealer run a SMART VINCENT report on the vehicle in question. It will identify any compatibility errors with the private and public offers. With so many incentives, it is crucial that the dealer run this on every potential sale.

I believe the 2011 Incentive Protection Program (# 33458) is still in place and is good for all dealers. In the past, the retail order protection program could only be utilized by "Select" dealers. Now both "Select" and "Contact" dealers can participate.

Unfortunately, I believe the keyless-entry keypad (option code 90A) is a "factory invoiced accessory" which is billed on the sticker but shipped separately from the vehicle for dealer installation. The cover is paintable if I remember correctly. The "wart" is butt ugly.

Ford Flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/fordmotorcompany/

Don't know if you are still looking for information but you can post or PM the full 17-digit VIN and I'll try to help.

Our one and only Boss is scheduled for first quarter 2011 production. Off topic but the 1997 F150 went on sale 1-2-1996 and we ordered those in July 1995. A neighboring dealer still had carry-over 1994, 1995 and 1996 units sitting next to the all-new 1997 model.

I believe Borg purchases under one of the alphabet plans and ordered his MKX; as such, the window sticker and DORA will include the purchaser's name.

The backlog associated with start-up appears to have eased. Our most recent Edges have been shipping with no delay. Given your proximity to Oakville (relative to our dealership), I'd say your estimate is reasonable. Your dealer can also utilize Vehicle Visibility to provide rail car data and a better ETA upon plant release/shipment.

2010 SELECT DEALER INCENTIVE PROTECTION (Program #33160) (NATIONAL) Overview Ford Division is announcing the 2010 Select Dealer Incentive Protection, effective January 12, 2010 which allows dealers the ability to protect certain incentives eligible at the time of Order. This program protects Cash Deals as well as Ford Credit Subvened* APR and RCL Transactions. Customers who order any eligible vehicle during the program period are eligible to have their Cash rebates OR their payments protected at the levels in effect at the time of their order. An additional provision allows scheduled stock orders to be converted to protected retail customer orders. Program Dates January 12, 2010 through January 3, 2011 To my knowledge (and as the name implies), this program is only available to the vast dealer body classified as "Select". With the decrease in sales, a large number of dealers who were previously classified as "Contact" have been downgraded to "Select". I believe we have used this program once in the last 5 years; the incentives are generally the same or better at time of delivery.

Job 1 for the "2011 model year next gen explorer @ chicago" is still listed as 11/1/2010 via Ford's most recent Fleet Distribution News. Fordvehicles.com also continues to list the future SUV as a 2011 model year Explorer.

From the article: As measured at the wheels, peak torque is 372 lb-ft at 4,700 rpm, and peak power of 361 hp arrives at 5,750 rpm. The rev limiter cuts in softly at 5,900 rpm with a hard limit at 6,000 rpm.

revOevoM -- Your dealer can track your Edge via the "Vehicle Visibility" application on FMCdealer. It gives detailed information about the status of specific orders (including rail car and transport load identification).

Ford's current allocation/scheduling system is hopefully a work in progress. Unfortunately, a one or two month wait for a hot commodity allocation is common. Dealers are asking Ford to reinstate the retail order verification program for all lines to expedite the allocation and scheduling of retail orders. Perhaps an employee at Flat Rock can provide more information about the unscheduled order bank. Personally, our dealership can't complain about the 2011 Mustang process; our last retail GT order was physically on the ground in less than 5 weeks.

fmccap -- Thanks for the information. Based on the MY 2011 launches of the Mustang and Fiesta, I wonder how many Explorers will be released, shipped and available for delivery prior to calendar year-end. I was surprised that it was being introduced as a 2011 model. Thanks again for the reply; we are really looking forward to this vehicle.

Has a Job 1 date for the 2011 Explorer been announced? The recent launch announcement has generated a great deal of interest. Thanks in advance for any information.

Your dealer should be able to identify the railroad company using Vehicle Visibility.