My new 2025 Defender X appears to have been delivered to Baltimore Harbor on 11/12, maybe on 11/13 because the ship (Polaris Highway) left port that day toward Savannah. I heard from my dealer on 11/15 that my car was on a truck. Asheville is roughly 7-8 hours drive from Baltimore Harbor, but I heard nothing the next week (11/18–11/22).

My delivery was moved up to 11/29 early in November (from mid-December) because the build was finished early. However, my dealership rep said she was expecting it earlier. Today is two weeks since the ship left harbor, and going on two weeks since the car was reported as “on a truck”. Today, still no word.

My questions:

— Is this a long time for the car to be “on the truck” for a relatively short trip?
— Is there a way to find out what truck line has it, where it is, and what’s its actual ETA? (My dealer disavows any specific knowledge)

Thanks to anyone who can help!!

You guys are great from previous inquiries!

 

The bus ride home from port is usually very short, like a week from port to MN when I got mine. Does yours have any accessories that are getting installed at the port?
If it arrived early it could be that the scheduled truck is... the scheduled truck and they won't move it up.

I was never able to find the trucking company, only the ship.

 

No, mine didn’t have any port installed options, as far as I know. Also, the dealer said it was on a truck 11/15, which was somewhat of a long time ago, or so it seems to me.

 

Mind if I as when your build date was? Mine was 10/18/24. Coming to AZ so I think a longer boat ride than yours (to CA I believe). I went in to ask the dealer a few Q's on 10/27 and they said it was waiting at the port to get on a ship. At that time the delivery date was 12/27.

On 11/08, I got a text with a VIN and was told it was at a port in the UK....and the ETA was still 12/27. Thought it was weird that it was in UK. Still not convinced my SA had that right (there have been some challenges...) But I did some digging and sounds like at times they do ship from Zeebruge to the UK and then combine shipments with RR's built in the UK.

Went in again to iron some issues out with the order on 11/16 and was told it was still waiting for a ship but the delivery date had been moved up to 12/20. I am the same as you..."Waiting impatiently".

 

My original build date was 10/25, but when I asked the dealer rep about progress on 10/23 she said, “the car is already built”. The delivery date then (10/23) was 12/20.

On 11/4 she said the car was on a ship, “Polaris Highway” and sent me a link to track it: https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9728095

I paid $10 to be able to track the ship by satellite (not just when it was near port). That was great!!

Ship arrived in Baltimore 11/12 and departed on 11/13. Dealer rep said it was on a truck on 11/15, but I’ve had no word since then.

 

Back in 2019, my buddy's factory ordered King Ranch F150 "disappeared" for 2 months when it was indicated as loaded on a train en route to a regional carrier. The dealer kept saying that it was on the way and not to worry. It eventually showed up at the dealer. My friend just had a GT4RS delivered earlier this year from Germany in two weeks from the date it rolled off the factory floor - so hold on, it'll be here sooner than you think

I think its wise to remember that this isn't some choochkie from Amazon that gets tossed in the back of a UPS truck and is at your door in 24 hours. While I completely understand your eagerness to take delivery of your new vehicle - remember the old saying "good things come to those who wait."

 

Thank you, Tad, for the reality check. A little humor goes a long way at this point, although I can’t get the image of one of those Amazon electric van-squatches rolling into my driveway, dropping a ramp and my Defender rolling out the back. I guess I’d be scrambling for tip money!

 

Thats actually not too far from the reality of a carvana delivery apparently.
Never seen it in person but a rollback just comes to your house, drops the car off whether you're home or not and just drives away.

And just for the record - I 10000% understand your emotions right now. Back in early 2019, I was that same person. Shaking in my car waiting for the transport carrier to deliver my life-goal dream truck... could have been anxiety and nerves... could have also been the 10'F with plus 30mph winds blowing across the parking lot.

Believe me it was worth the wait. Until the morning when I discovered a 3 foot wide puddle of ATF on my driveway.

 

Has your Defender arrived? I also have one headed for Asheville, currently on a ship in the Atlantic. I'm curious how long it ended up taking from arrival in Baltimore until you took delivery.

 

Hey, Upst8. I’m sorry I didn’t reply right away but have been snowed under with tasks and appointments.

Yes, my Defender came to the Dealer late afternoon on Friday November 29th. They had it setup, detailed, etc for me on Saturday when I picked it up—No expedition roof rack or ladder. They had ordered those items to arrive coincidental to the cars arrival, but somebody checked the box for “roof bars” instead of a “roof rack”.

(as an aside, I have no idea where the car was between harbor arrival and dealership arrival. Seems like a long time. However, early on Nov 29th I emailed the sales lady and asked (again) if they could contact the transport company. They called and were told “it’ll be there today”. Don’t know if that caused an “Oh, Crap!” moment for transport or if timing was just coincidental.)

I drove the car for a few days after pickup on the 30th, then returned it to dealer on Thursday, 12/5 to have rack and ladder mounted. Took several hours, but was well worth time spent. I LOVE THIS CAR!!!

I plan to post a few photos as soon as this cold snap eases up.