Another million-dollar idea for nothing

Rico says he's been mulling this one a long time (since he bought his Ford Explorer back in 1995, actually) but, what with the recent turmoil in the auto industry, maybe GM is in enough shock they could try it (and Ford should definitely try it):

A car dealer should have on the lot perhaps two dozen cars, max.
They would consist of one of each available model, and one car in every color offered. (Not every model in every color.)
The buyer could drive the car(s) they were interested in, pick a color, and place their order with a deposit.
The dealer would fax the order to the factory, they'd build that exact car, deliver it to the dealer, and the customer could come back and pick it up, probably in a couple of weeks.
Why?
No inventory (thus no inventory carrying costs), smaller dealer lots (thus less overhead), no 'year end' sales to dump the leftovers, and cheaper cars.
Why not?
Mostly because no one's tried it. Everyone is so panicked that the customer, if they can't drive away in the car they want today, will go down the street and buy something else from another dealer.
Rico says that's ridiculous. No one needs a new car today. If their car is broken and they're buying a replacement, the dealer can rent them a loaner until their real one arrives.

Rico says this is how he bought his Explorer; they didn't have what he wanted on the lot, so he waited until Ford could make and deliver one. Oddly enough, he didn't even notice the delay at the time, and barely remembers it now. And, more to the point, the final deal was just $500 more than what a Ford employee would have paid for the car. Rico says he will accept a sizeable check from the first car company that uses his idea; it will save them a fortune...