My wife's WK2 went D1 just before the shutdown, the plant reopened @5/18, and it was in production on 5/25, so things are moving along, it seems.

 

Production has been coming back on line, but the lead times will be extended simply because of the backlog. WL production isn't going to happen for quite awhile yet, so if you want a MY20 and want to factory order (the only way I buy a vehicle) go for it. You just will be unlikely to receive it in the typical 4-6 weeks because of the backlog.

 

Good to hear that production is coming back and hopefully the workers are doing good & ok with the production environment.

I haven’t been able to find a used 2018+ Trailhawk with the options I want, so looking at new MY20s in my area. I found a few new MY20s configured as I want, but don’t much like their exterior colors. So great to hear factory order are ongoing.

I’ll start checking factor order pricing at a few local dealerships, but I have a few questions on factory orders:

• Does the FCA rebates/discounts apply at the time of order, or do you get whatever the factory rebates are at the time of delivery (meaning you don’t know the final purchase price until delivery)?
• Is a factory order typically at a lower price, as it doesn’t sit on a dealer's lot, etc.?
• Is the deposit you pay when placing a factory order typically refundable (in case you find an issue with the delivered GC, or the dealership offers a real low-ball trade-in price for my current Jeep at time of delivery)?

 

• FCA at last glance provided for either incentives at order or incentives at delivery
• Factory orders are at the same price you would negotiate for a dealer inventory vehicle, but the specific dealer can price things as they will...they are independent businesses. There is no extra cost for them to order for a customer
• Deposit policies are made by the dealer in conjunction with applicable laws in the state you are doing business

 

I'm looking at ordering a 2020 Trailhawk and both dealers I'm talking to have mentioned 6 week+ lead times. I have the option of taking a 2020 trailhawk with all the options I want except with a V6 that's on the lot now, or ordering the one I want with the V8 like I have now. I'm thinking I'm gonna just order it with the V8 and wait for it. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised and it'll come in early.

 

When we bought my wife's 2012 GC we test drove the 3.7L V6. It couldn't get out of it's own way so we got the 5.7. Then in 2014 when we got her a GC Summit we test drove the new 3.6L V6 also with a new 8 speed tranny.. What a difference from the old V6 package.
So if you haven't test driven the V6 I'd suggest you do. You may be surprised. Like Jim said, unless you have a towing challenge you can save $3400 with the V6. Good luck.

 

Either way is valid. If you feel strongly about the engine choice, order what you want. But the V6 with the 8 speed is a very solid performer. It does have a towing limit that's 1000 lbs less than the V8 if that's a factor, however.

 

this is probably a dumb question but i would like to know for the future, how exactly do you go and order a car exactly to your likings, do you just do it from the jeep website? i have always been confused about this

 

No, you have to order via a dealer. Vehicle manufacturers (with minor exceptions like Tesla) do not sell direct to the consumer. You negotiate your price with the dealer like normal for your factory order.

 

When you say cutoff date, are you referring to the date in which you can no longer order a 2020 GC?

If so, I would love to know if it is being extended, and if so...what is the new date?

 

When you say cutoff date, are you referring to the date in which you can no longer order a 2020 GC?

If so, I would love to know if it is being extended, and if so...what is the new date?

Yes, the last order date. You can call a dealer to verify.

 

Got it, my lease ends in December. I am assuming my hopes of custom ordering my next GC is going to be highly unlikely.

 

I can't speak to what Jeep is doing but many car companies are offering early lease returns if you buy or lease the same brand. My wife's Lexus lease ends next month and 5 months ago they started making that offer to me. Early termination, no extra fees,yada, yada. If your current lease is a Jeep, you might check with your dealer so they at least know you'd be interested in a '20 if they do those early termination deals

 

I work in the main FCA transmission plant and we have been back to full production and shipping to the assembly plants daily for the last couple of weeks. We are the primary production plant of the 8 and 9 speed. Belvedere Illinois gets most of our shipments and they are up and running. I believe Jefferson is too but haven’t confirmed. We were told that production for the WL will not begin until the new plant is finished. There was talk about retooling Jefferson to begin but everything we hear in this industry is always a rumor until it comes to pass and very few of them do.