How to track your C-Max Order

[ScooterS]

If you are reading this, you've probably ordered your C-Max from a dealer. It is not being "dealer traded."  You're getting a new C-Max built  just for you!  

 

Now you are anxiously awaiting word on delivery. Your dealer may be giving you regular updates or may not be providing much information at all.

 

Here is what I've been able to pull together on the ordering/build/delivery process. I'm new at this, so corrections/updates from others are welcome. Much of this has been compiled from other sites and the experience that others and I have had as we've ordered our cars.

 

Your dealer will place the order with Ford.  Soon it will be confirmed and entered into Ford's build system.  Your dealer should be able to provide you with:

- His dealer number

- Your vehicle's order number.

 

A couple of weeks (or so) later your car will be assigned a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).  You will be able to see the window sticker for your car about a week before the build date.  Don't worry, It will be there just a few days before the build.

 

Your car may have a variety of "statuses" as it goes through the process. I don't pretend to understand them, but the critical ones are:

 

-"Unscheduled Clean"-  That means that the order is in the system, but the build date hasn't been set. "Clean"means that there is nothing holding it up, It just isn't set on the production timetable.

 

-"Scheduled to Week"-  That means that the car is scheduled to be built on a specific week.

 

-"Scheduled to Day"- That means that the vehicle is scheduled to be built on a specific day.

 

Of course, a glitch can always cause a big or little change in the dates.

 

Even though your car is scheduled for a specific date, it may take a day or two before it is released from the factory.

 

It will then be moved around a bit until it gets to the departure railhead. 

 

Once loaded onto the train, It will show as being on a specific train car.  And it will wind its way to you.  The operative word is "wind."  It seems that cars are added to the train at various stops.  The "whole" train then heads off to your part of the world. Again, there may be some (short?) stops are dropped at various locations.  

 

Once the railcar reaches your receiving railhead, it is detached from the train and your C-Max is unloaded from the railcar.

 

Cars are again resorted and put on trucks (car carriers) that take the car to your dealer.  Again, there may be a bit of a delay so that the car carrier is full going to your dealer or area.

 

Soooooo, how do you track this?

 

If your dealer is helpful, he can pull a vehicle visibility report on the car at any point after the order is placed and acknowledged by Ford.  That will give him (and you) the order details, the VIN after it is assigned, and the current status of the build.  Ask for updates, but try not to be a total pain with daily phone calls.

 

If the dealer isn't helpful, you should, at minimum get the dealer number and the order number.  Also try to get the VIN after a couple of weeks.  

 

Armed with these items and with a bit of help, you can track the car.

 

If you aren't getting details beyond the above, you can go to:  http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/forum/80-vehicle-locator-by-ford-employees/ .  A gentleman there works for Ford. He tracks vehicles on his own time, before his workday begins.  CRITICAL INFO:  He has VERY strict rules on how he does this.  Make sure you read and follow the rules carefully before you make a tracking request. You also have to sign-in and have 10 posts on the main site to make a request.  Again: READ AND FOLLOW THE RULES!.

 

Once you have the VIN, you can pull the window sticker (about a week before the build) at:  http://www.researchmaniacs.com/Ford/TrackFactoryCarOrders.html

 

With this information, you should be able to track the car through the buld process. A few days later,  once your car is safely loaded on its railcar, there is a way-cool way to track it on the way to you.  Get the dealer to give you the railcar number from the visibility report (yep it's there).  If not, time your request properly to get it from the gentleman (Cyberdman) above.

 

With the railcar information, you can follow these instructions to track the car real-time as it makes it way to your local railhead:

http://www.raptorforumz.com/showthread.php?t=13007

 

 

Again, there may be glitches anywhere in the process.  A factory problem, a rail problem, or a holiday can change things quickly.  Use the dates that you see for delivery as an rough estimate. Don't count on them as a hard delivery day.

 

Relax. Your car will get here, when it gets here, not sooner or later.

 

Above all. Have fun! This is all part of the ordering process.

 

I hope this information helps you track and enjoy your new C-Max!

Edited February 11, 2013 by ScooterS

[RachelnLa]

Thanks! I was just wondering what my next step was now that my baby has been born. Lol. I hope the stork flies straight on thru!