What "Create Your Ford" Means and How It Works
Create Your Ford is Ford's online tool that lets you design a vehicle to your exact specifications before you buy or order it. You choose the model, exterior color, interior trim, wheels, technology packages, and other features, then see the price update in real time. The tool shows you what your finished vehicle will look like and gives you a final price quote you can take to a dealer or use to place an order.
This is different from shopping inventory at a dealership lot. Instead of choosing from what's already built and sitting on the ground, you're building what you want, then either ordering it from the factory or asking a dealer to find an existing vehicle that matches your choices. Most people use Create Your Ford to narrow down exactly what they want before they walk into a showroom or call a dealer.
Key Takeaways
- Create Your Ford is a free online configurator where you select a model, colors, features, and packages to see the final price before you commit to anything.
- You can save your configuration and share it with a dealer, or print it to bring to a showroom.
- The price shown includes the base vehicle cost plus any packages or options you add, but does not include taxes, delivery fees, or dealer markups.
- Once you've built your vehicle, you can either order it from the factory through a dealer or ask the dealer to locate a similar vehicle already in inventory.
Step-by-Step: Building Your Vehicle on Create Your Ford
Start by going to Ford's official website and finding the Create Your Ford tool (usually linked from the main vehicle shopping page). Select the model you're interested in — F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Escape, or whichever line appeals to you. Ford will show you the available generations and body styles for that model.
Next, choose your exterior color. Ford displays each color on a photo of the actual vehicle so you can see how it looks in different lighting. Some colors cost more than others; the tool shows the upcharge when ready. Then select your interior color and material — leather, cloth, or synthetic options depending on the trim level you choose.
Move through the remaining sections: wheels and tires, technology and safety packages, comfort features, and any other add-ons Ford offers for that model. The price updates after each selection so you always know your total. At the end, you'll see a summary of everything you've chosen, the final price, and options to save, print, or share your configuration with a dealer.
Understanding the Price You See
The price displayed in Create Your Ford is the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for that exact configuration. It includes the base vehicle cost plus every package and option you selected. This is the number you'll use to negotiate with a dealer or to understand what the vehicle should cost.
What the price does not include: taxes, vehicle registration fees, delivery charges from the factory to the dealer, dealer documentation fees, or any markup the dealer adds. These vary by location and dealer, so the final amount you pay will be higher than what Create Your Ford shows. Always ask the dealer to break down the full price in writing before you commit.
Saving and Sharing Your Configuration
Once you've built a vehicle you like, Create Your Ford lets you save it. You'll need to enter your email address, and Ford will send you a link you can use to view, modify, or print your configuration anytime. This is useful if you want to sleep on the decision or compare multiple builds side by side.
You can also share your configuration directly with a Ford dealer. The tool usually has a "contact a dealer" or "share with dealer" button that lets you send your build to a nearby showroom. The dealer can then tell you whether they have that exact vehicle in stock, how long it would take to order it from the factory, or what similar vehicles they have available. Some dealers will also use your configuration to negotiate a price with you.
The Difference Between Ordering and Finding Inventory
After you've built your vehicle, you have two paths forward. The first is to order from the factory: you take your configuration to a dealer, they place an order with Ford, and the vehicle is built to your specifications. This takes several weeks to a few months depending on Ford's production schedule and current demand. You pay the MSRP price you saw in Create Your Ford, plus taxes and dealer fees.
The second path is to search existing inventory. You show your configuration to a dealer and ask them to find a vehicle already built and sitting at a dealership somewhere that matches (or comes close to) your choices. This is faster — you could drive home in days instead of weeks — but you may not find an exact match. The dealer can search Ford's inventory system to see what's available within a certain distance, and they may negotiate a lower price if the vehicle has been sitting on the lot for a while.
Common Confusion Points When Using Create Your Ford
Many people assume that the price shown is what they'll pay at the dealership. Remember: that's the MSRP before taxes, fees, and dealer markup. Some dealers charge above MSRP, especially for popular models or colors. Always get a written quote from the dealer that breaks down every charge.
Another common mix-up: thinking that certain colors or packages are exclusive to one trim level. Create Your Ford will gray out options that aren't available for the trim you've selected, so you'll know when ready if what you want isn't possible. If you want a feature that's only available in a higher trim, the tool will show you the price jump.
Finally, some people build a vehicle, then assume that exact vehicle exists somewhere on a lot. It might not. Create Your Ford is a design tool, not an inventory search. Once you've built what you want, a dealer has to either order it or hunt for something similar in their network.
What to Do After You've Built Your Vehicle
Print or save your configuration before you visit a dealership. Bring it with you or email it to the dealer ahead of time so they know exactly what you're interested in. This saves time and gives the dealer a clear target to work with.
When you contact the dealer, ask three things: Do you have this exact vehicle in stock? If not, how long would it take to order? And what's your price for this configuration? Get the answers in writing. If the dealer's price is significantly higher than the MSRP you saw in Create Your Ford, ask why — it might be a documentation fee, a market adjustment, or a package the dealer added. You have the right to understand every charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Create Your Ford the same as ordering a vehicle?
No. Create Your Ford is a design and pricing tool. It shows you what a vehicle would cost if built to your specifications, but it doesn't place an order. To actually order, you need to take your configuration to a Ford dealer and ask them to submit the order to the factory.
Can I change my configuration after I save it?
Yes. When you open a saved configuration, you can modify any selection — color, packages, wheels, everything — and the price will update. You can save as many different versions as you want and compare them side by side.
What if the color or package I want isn't available?
Create Your Ford only shows options that are actually available for the trim level and model you've chosen. If an option is grayed out, it's not available for that configuration. You can either choose a different option or select a higher trim level that includes what you want.
Does the price in Create Your Ford include delivery to the dealer?
No. The price shown is MSRP only. Delivery fees, taxes, registration, and dealer fees are added on top. Ask the dealer for a complete breakdown of all charges before you commit.
Can I negotiate the price I see in Create Your Ford?
The MSRP shown is Ford's suggested price, but dealers can negotiate. Some will discount, especially if they have the vehicle in inventory or if demand is lower. Always get a written quote and ask if there's room to negotiate before you decide.