Thanks for the detailed update. It really helps understand the overall process. I agree that for the initial order and allocation portion, the dealers will be less than transparent and I experienced some of that. My build week was 7/31, it was built and I have a VIN number but I am in some kind of hold near Flint plant, waiting for shipment. The sales manager showed me the status screen on his computer that listed my delivery date as Oct 2023 - Dec 2023. Not sure if it is on hold because of a missing part or just waiting my turn for spot on car transport. They cannot get any more information than that as far as I know.
Because they have several trucks in the same situation they have been toying with the idea of sending one of their own car transports (larger dealer) but indicated that a previous attempt was unsuccessful because union employee would not release the keys or something like that and they had to return empty handed.