Man Walks Into Ford Dealership Wanting To Build a Custom Bronco. Then He Learns How Long It'll Take: 'Well, When Did You Do That?'

A Cleveland man wanting to custom-order a Ford Bronco learned from a dealership employee that building a brand-new car takes a bit longer than it did 50 years ago. But just how much longer and why?

TikTok creator Scott Wilson (@scottinsales) is a car salesman at Crossroads Ford Dunn-Benson in Cleveland, Ohio. In a video posted last week, he explained the "reality of car sales" as he sees it.

"A customer walked on the lot," he said. "He asked about a 2026 Bronco. We don’t have '26s here on the lot yet. He asked about building one. 'We can definitely build you one, sir, but unfortunately, it takes every bit of about three to four months for it to get here.’"

Wilson said the man was shocked at the time frame and said the last time he ordered a vehicle, it took approximately six weeks. 

"So my follow-up question was, 'Well, when did you do that?’ And he said, '1971,’" Wilson said. "Over 50 years ago. Yes, building a car takes longer now than it did in 1971. No, we cannot build a new car from scratch to meet your specifications in six weeks. Needless to say, I didn’t get a deal there, but on to the next one."

In the caption, Wilson wrote, "Every walk-up isn’t a winner. Some are downright hilarious. This one was interesting."

Viewers React to How Long It Takes to Build a Brand-New Bronco

In the comments section, viewers debated whether Wilson’s assessment is a personal limitation or an industry-wide one.

"Ford absolutely can build a new car in six weeks," argued one viewer. "They won’t until more of the 2025 Broncos sell. Good luck with that."

"If you can’t do it, then someone else can," a second person said.

"Six weeks is halfway there," said a third person. "Patience is a virtue."

How Long Does It Take to Build Modern Vehicles?

Because modern cars include complex electrical systems and tens of thousands of parts, it can take up to 35 hours for a standard vehicle to come off the assembly line. However, shipping logistics can mean it takes up to six weeks for that vehicle to make its way to the dealership lot.

When it comes to ordering custom Broncos, the three-to-four-month timeline appears very realistic. Of course, customers report wait times ranging from shorter to longer, depending on the build. If there is a chip shortage or another logistical hang-up somewhere in the production process, the delays could stretch beyond six months.

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And what was the process like back in the 1970s? It was a turbulent era for the American auto industry, marked by competition from foreign companies, international petroleum politics, and domestic regulation. But it’s also a time many car enthusiasts remember fondly because customization was more embedded in the buying process. 

Motor1 contacted Wilson via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We also contacted Ford via email for comment. We'll update this if either responds.

 

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