What’s The Ram Factory Order Process?

Ordering a new vehicle doesn't have to be a complicated or intimidating process. If you are considering ordering a new Dodge Ram and are wondering how to do this, we can help you. We researched the ordering process for Dodge from multiple professional sources so that you'll have an easy time getting this done.

You can order a new Dodge Ram truck from the factory in two ways. 

• Order direct online
• Order direct from a dealership

Now that we know the process of ordering a Dodge Ram, we'll take a closer look at each step. You might also be wondering how long it takes for a Ram to get delivered or how long it takes for a Dodge Ram to be built. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what we've uncovered in our research.

Breaking down the Ram factory ordering process

Ordering your Ram online

Dodge has made the online ordering process simple for consumers. Go to their website, and you'll be able to build the Ram exactly how you want it. 

Ram will allow you to explore financing options from this page as well. You will also be able to enter your current vehicle's information to get a qualified estimate on trade-in value, if applicable.

The Ram will be delivered to a dealership of your choice to finalize the sale. 

Ordering your Ram from the dealership

An in-person visit to your local Ram dealership will lead you to a helpful Ram sales associate that will assist you in taking your order. They'll guide you through all of the available trim-level options and packages. You'll also be able to select the body color, interior colors [on select trims], and drive configuration.

It can be helpful to go to the Ram website before you visit the dealership. You can build the truck on the website to your exact specifications and print off the result. Having this in hand when you visit the Ram dealership will save you and your sales associate time.

How long does it take to get a Ram delivered?

Once your Ram is ordered, it will take some time for it to get processed and transferred to the factory for the build. Current supply chain issues have delayed the completion process of the Ram and virtually every other new vehicle in production. When ordering, keep this in mind, so you don't have false expectations of speedy delivery.

Getting a new Ram from spec sheet to delivery can take an estimated 16 to 20 weeks for the 2022 models. This is due to a shortage in the semiconductors [microchips] required for any new vehicles. We'll talk more about the chip shortage ahead in this post. For now, know that this is why getting your truck delivered is taking so long.

Can you track a Ram truck order?

As we outlined earlier in this post, ordering a Ram is fairly simple. But once it's ordered, you'll probably want to keep track of it so that you will be able to get a better idea of when you can finally sit behind the wheel of your new truck. Tracking an order will allow you to check for earlier than promised delivery or help you plan for any delays.

When you order through a dealership or online, you will be able to submit your email address. This will get you automatic updates from the factory. You will get an email each time your order passes through the following stages:

• Confirmation 
• Production 
• Frame   
• Paint 
• Trim   
• Final Inspection 
• Shipment   
• Delivery

In addition, you can track your order on the Ram website. You'll need the last eight characters of the VIN or the VON [vehicle order number] given to you by Dodge. Enter this information into the tracking system for the latest update on how far your Ram is in the process.

Are Ram trucks being built right now?

Production of Ram trucks was slowed during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some models even had their production halted altogether. But Ram assembly lines are rolling, and trucks are built every day.

The trucks are being assembled, but there is a delay in their completion. These trucks, like all modern vehicles, require semiconductors for their onboard computers. The production of these chips severely slowed throughout the pandemic, driving up the demand and price.

While Rams are still being built, it takes a lot longer for them to be completed as they await this vital part.

How long does it take to build a Ram truck?

Even though it is taking months for new Ram trucks to be delivered after ordering, building a Ram from start to finish happens pretty quickly. Should the manufacturing plant have all of the necessary parts, a new Ram pickup truck can be completed in a little over a day.

It takes an estimated 30 hours to manufacture a new Dodge Ram. Any special customizing or packages might take a bit longer. Of course, this doesn't consider the wait time for the manufacturing plant to get the needed microchips. The short supply of those has caused lengthy delays.

Hopefully, by mid-2022, the chip shortage will be mostly behind the auto industry. 

Why is there a shortage of Ram 2500 trucks?

While it might seem that it's the 2500 that is in short supply on dealership lots these days, it's a shortage of one component that has impacted the new vehicle industry. The culprit is a tiny semiconductor that your onboard computer needs to operate.

These microchips are primarily built in Asian factories. In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, these plants were forced to close and were slow to reopen and run at full capacity. This resulted in a lot of backorders for the chips that they produce.

Complicating the problem is that the demand for these chips has never been higher. They are needed more than ever in vehicles, as onboard features in the modern car require more and more of them. These chips are also used in a variety of electronics, including smartphones.

How long will the car chip shortage last?

In December of 2021, it was reported that new vehicle inventories were at the lowest point in over a decade. There are so few new vehicles on the lots at dealerships due to a global shortage of the vital semiconductors that modern cars need to operate. These microchips run the onboard computer system and other electronic components of your vehicle.

Experts in the field have predicted that the shortage will continue throughout 2022, but with the needle moving in the right direction. As back orders are being filled, the demand slowly decreases. Factories overseas have indicated that they are also ramping up production, which will also help end the shortage.

The earliest the shortage will be in its final stages is predicted to be in mid-2022. But this estimate could change for better or worse.

In conclusion

Ordering a Dodge Ram is a reasonably simple and fast process that can be done in person at a Dodge dealership or entirely online on Dodge's website. Vehicles take longer to get delivered now due to a shortage in semiconductors that are manufactured overseas. As demand for these microchips continues to increase, their production being ramped up is the best path to overcoming their shortage. Drive safe!

If you found this post on the Dodge Ram factory ordering process to be helpful, we believe that you'll find the following posts on the Dodge ram to be informative:

Ram 2500 Tradesman Vs. Big Horn Vs. Laramie —Which Is Right For You?

5 Types of Dodge Trucks You Should Know [Ram Pickups]

How Long Is A Dodge Ram 1500? [Cabs And Beds Combos]