Date Published: November 3, 2026 | 4 minute read | FAQ Article by Jill Tresch at Redwater Dodge
When shopping for a new vehicle in Alberta, finding a truck or SUV configured with the exact paint colour, interior trim, axle ratio, and towing technology package you want can occasionally feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. As automotive lineups advance into the 2027 model year, more drivers across Western Canada are considering bypassing dealer lot inventory entirely to custom build a vehicle directly from the assembly plant. However, prospective buyers frequently hesitate due to a widespread industry misconception: the belief that custom factory ordering carries a hefty financial surcharge.
As Jill from Redwater Dodge clarifies, that assumption is completely false. Factory ordering a brand-new vehicle through Redwater Dodge does not cost extra. In fact, not only is there zero price penalty for custom ordering, but build turnaround times at the factory are remarkably swift. typically taking around four months from order confirmation to driveway delivery.
Understanding the structural economics, price protection policies, and timeline advantages of factory ordering ensures you get the exact truck you desire without paying inflated dealer markups or settling for unwanted features.
In many retail industries, bespoke or made-to-order goods command a steep pricing premium. In the automotive industry, however, the financial mechanics of a factory order operate under the exact same manufacturer pricing structure as vehicles built for standard showroom allocation.
When you order a 2027 model year Ram 1500, heavy-duty 2500/3500 Cummins diesel, Jeep Wrangler, or Dodge Durango through Redwater Dodge, your vehicle is priced directly off the official Stellantis Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and dealer invoice schedules:
Zero "Custom Order" Surcharges: Redwater Dodge does not impose additional administrative fees, ordering premiums, or customization markups simply because you tailored the vehicle to your preferences.
Paying Only for What You Actually Want: Purchasing an existing truck off a showroom floor often forces buyers to pay for bundled packages, luxury interior upgrades, or wheel options they never intended to buy. Factory ordering allows you to select only the exact functional options, mechanical packages, and cab configurations you require, often saving thousands of dollars compared to buying an over-optioned lot vehicle.
Stellantis Price Protection & Incentive Integration: When you place a factory order, Stellantis offers robust price protection programs. If vehicle base prices rise while your order is being assembled at the plant, your agreed-upon price is protected. Furthermore, you typically qualify for either the national manufacturer incentives available at the time of your initial order or the promotional incentives active at the time of final delivery, whichever provides the greater financial saving.
A primary objection that historically discouraged truck shoppers from factory ordering was the perception of endless manufacturing delays. During unprecedented global supply chain disruptions in previous years, automotive build times stretched from nine months to well over a year.
As Jill emphasizes, modern manufacturing logistics have stabilized significantly. For the 2027 model year, factory orders placed through Redwater Dodge are not taking long at all, averaging approximately four months from the date your order is submitted into the Stellantis manufacturing queue until it arrives at our dealership in Redwater, Alberta.
The standard four-month factory order pipeline generally unfolds across five distinct milestones:
Month 1: Order Acceptance & Production Scheduling: Your build specifications are submitted into the Stellantis dealer order network, verified for equipment compatibility, assigned a Vehicle Order Number (VON), and slotted into the manufacturing schedule.
Month 2: Component Staging & Frame Assembly: The assembly plant stages parts, stamps the frame, schedules the powertrain (such as the 3.0L Hurricane Twin-Turbo or 6.7L Cummins Diesel), and assigns your official Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Month 3: Paint, Final Assembly & Quality Inspection: The vehicle moves along the assembly line through robotic body welding, multi-stage paint immersion, interior cabin fitment, and mechanical marriage. Upon completion, it undergoes comprehensive factory dynamometer testing and quality control verification.
Month 4: Transit, Delivery & Dealership Prep: The finished vehicle is dispatched via railway and commercial automotive transport carriers to Western Canada. Upon arrival at Redwater Dodge, our certified service team performs the federal Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI), road tests the vehicle, and details it to showroom standards.
Ordering directly from the factory gives Alberta drivers absolute control over their vehicle's engineering and aesthetic specifications:
Powertrain & Gear Ratios: Choose between the high-output 3.0L Hurricane I-6 engine, the 5.7L HEMI V8 (in available lines), or the high-output 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, matched with your preferred rear axle ratio (such as 3.73 or 4.10) for maximum towing performance.
Functional Work Packages: Equip heavy-duty commercial prep groups, including the fifth-wheel/gooseneck prep package, dual alternators, integrated trailer brake controllers, rear air suspension, or auxiliary upfitter switch banks.
Aesthetic Trim & Paint Codes: Select your exact exterior paint colour, from bold monotone finishes to classic two-tone contrasts, and specify the Sport Appearance, Night Edition blackout package, or traditional chrome accents without compromise.
One of the unique advantages of working with Redwater Dodge is our ability to seamlessly merge factory ordering with our signature custom truck builds. If you desire a turn-key custom lifted truck, a Rig Ready Ram, you do not have to wait for your factory-ordered truck to arrive before ordering aftermarket parts.
While your truck is progressing along the Stellantis assembly line over the course of its four-month build window, our accessories department can pre-order your custom BDS or ReadyLIFT suspension system, custom offset wheels, oversized 35-inch or 37-inch tires, and colour-matched accessories. The moment your truck arrives from the factory, our certified technicians immediately install your modifications, allowing you to drive away in a fully customized rig with all accessories consolidated into your primary financing agreement.
If you have specific towing demands, a distinct aesthetic vision, or simply refuse to settle for compromises on dealer lots, factory ordering is the most cost-effective and rewarding way to purchase your next vehicle. With zero extra ordering costs and a swift four-month turnaround, there has never been a better time to configure your dream ride.
As Jill reminds us, if you are looking to explore factory ordering for the 2027 model year, give our truck specialists a call today at 780-942-3629 or visit Redwater Dodge in Redwater, Alberta, to build your build sheet!
Q1. Do I have to pay for the factory-ordered vehicle in full before it arrives?
A1. No. When you submit a custom factory order at Redwater Dodge, you typically only provide a small, partially refundable earnest deposit to secure the factory build allocation. Your primary financing, commercial lease, or cash payment is finalized only when the vehicle physically arrives at our dealership, completes inspection, and is ready for delivery.
Q2. Can I track the manufacturing progress of my custom-ordered Ram truck?
A2. Yes! Once your factory order is accepted by Stellantis, you will receive a Vehicle Order Number (VON) followed by a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You can track your truck through each production milestone, from initial scheduling and frame assembly to final rail transport, using the official Stellantis order tracking portal and regular updates from our sales team.
Q3. Can I trade in my current vehicle when factory ordering a new truck?
A3. Yes. You can trade in your existing vehicle at Redwater Dodge. We can provide a current market trade appraisal when you place your order, or appraise your trade-in closer to the four-month arrival window to ensure your trade value accurately reflects current vehicle mileage and market conditions.
Q4. What happens if Stellantis changes vehicle pricing while my truck is being built?
A4. Stellantis offers factory price protection on verified customer retail orders. If the manufacturer increases base vehicle pricing or option costs between the date your order is confirmed and the date of delivery, Redwater Dodge honors the original lower price agreed upon at the time of order placement.