Will consumers go along with the notion of order and wait? It's not a new option. Car shoppers have been able to customer order vehicles for decades, but will they go along with that being the primary option? Maybe yes, maybe no.
conducted with The Harris Poll only 28% of consumers said they're willing to wait for their vehicle beyond two or three months.... [+]That willingness varies by age group with older shoppers the most patient. Specifically, 42% of those identified as Baby Boomers ages 57 and older said they're willing to order and wait for their vehicles, while the younger segment of Generation Z, ages 18-30 were the least patient with only 15% saying they're fine with waiting months.
Automakers and dealers also enjoy gratification, especially the financial variety. Both Desmond and Twydell agree the build to order business model gives automakers the opportunity to better focus production and purchasing to vehicles consumers actually desire. “Depending on the dealers you talk to, they're still uncomfortable about not having vehicles on their lot,” observed Twydell. “Inventory used to be a competitive advantage for a lot of the larger dealers to offer a greater selection.”Both analysts believe the new model will still involve on-site vehicles for those who can't or won't wait, just not as many on some lots.