Updated 2021 Ford F-150 Timeline: Manufacturing Starts in October, Ordering Starts July 15

Now that Ford’s manufacturing plants are set to restart production beginning May 18, things are becoming clearer now as far as production for the rest of the 2020 Ford F-150, the last of the 13th-generation. Also, according to information dispersed to Fleet Distribution News Bulletin and as posted by f150gen14.com, we now know when you can order the new 2021 Ford F-150, the 14th generation of America’s best-selling vehicle.

Earlier, I reported on the production and expected delivery time for the 2021 Ford F-150. According to the information provided to the Fleet Distribution News Bulletin, those dates have been slightly altered and pushed back by a couple weeks.

The order bank for the 2021 Ford F-150 will open July 15, as of now. The previous date that was reported was June 15. Likewise, the last date to order a 2020 Ford F-150 is May 29.

I reported on an inventory issue for the current-generation F-150 going on at many Ford dealers throughout the country. It will be very important for all the plants that produce Ford trucks and F-150 parts to get many of these 2020 F-150s produced and delivered as the demand is still high.

With the aggressive financing offers going on, that has driven the demand even higher. So good deals on the last year of the 13th-generation F-150 could be had before production switches over to the 2021 model year.

When Will Production Begin For The 2021 Ford F-150?
Here are the current and most recent production dates for the 2021 Ford F-150 according to information from f150gen14.com.

August 13, 2020: Scheduling begins at the Dearborn Truck Plant (DTP)
October 12, 2020: Job One production begins for 2021 F-150 (DTP)
These dates are about two weeks later than we previously reported.

August 27, 2020: Scheduling begins at Kansas City Plant (KCAP)
November 9, 2020: Job One production begins for 2021 F-150 (KCAP)
These dates are about two weeks later now than previously reported.

Ordering a Ford F-150
The last day to order a 2020 Ford F-150 has not changed. The order book for the 2020 Ford F-150 closes after May 29, 2020. But that does not mean there won’t be plenty of F-150s on car lots as production and delivery for the 13th generation F-150 should continue throughout the summer and even into fall.

If you’re holding out for the 2021 F-150, the good news is that the new firm date to begin taking orders is July 15. It’s important to note the aggressive zero-interest 84-month financing offers do not apply to the 2021 F-150.

When Will The 2021 F-150 Be Revealed?
We’ve seen plenty of spy photos of this next-gen F-150. We know a lot of the details, as reported here. We even know some of the new colors that will be part of the 2021 F-150 model line.

What we don’t know is when will there be a reveal of this truck. And frankly, nobody at Ford knows either. I’m sure their PR department is anxious to publicize this truck, but considering the uncertainty of pandemic restrictions a lot of their plans have had to change.

It was a certainty that the new F-150 would’ve been the star of the Detroit Auto Show, which was slated for early June but has been cancelled. Considering that orders for the 2021 F-150 will begin in mid July, we can assume that some kind of reveal will take place a couple of weeks prior to that. So could some kind of reveal for the 2021 Ford F-150 occur around the July 4 holiday? I mean what’s more American than a Ford F-150 pickup truck anyway?

Will Ford follow Toyota’s suit, as the Japanese car maker is doing a virtual reveal the media and the public of their 20th anniversary Prius. That’s an important vehicle for Toyota, just as the F-150 is oh-so-important to Ford. Likely, with public gatherings, like big media reveals, still not allowed, a virtual reveal is expected.

Whether in person or online, I personally can’t wait to see the new F-150. I’m tired of the rumors and speculation, as I’m sure all of you are too. But keep checking us out here for any updates, speculation and rumors.

So, I want to hear from you. Are you considering buying a new F-150? Will you opt for the better deal/better financing and get the 2020 F-150 or will you wait for the new 2021 F-150? Leave me a comment with what you’re thinking.

Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.