When I ordered my Citroen, the dealership could only track the build once it went into the factory queue – about a week or so before it was actually built, Peugeot uses the same system. The order just seems to be in limbo till that date – the dealer could not update me as he had no idea himself. Luckily I got a car coming out of the factory in my spec that was ordered by another dealer – they did a swap in the queue, so I was only 6 weeks in total.
With my Ford, the dealer was much the same, they could confirm the order was placed and see it on Fords order system (they showed me the screen), but the due date did not shift until it moved to the next position and there was no countdown timer. The car was delivered 5 months after the order date, no reason was given for the delay. Ford does allow tracking if you can get the ETIS number.
I think what is more annoying is the dealerships all quote “10 weeks” etc at you when you place the order, knowing full well that that will never be the outcome. You then have an expectation that does not come to pass and it just results in frustration.
In life, it's not who you know that's important, it's how your wife found out.