Dodge already offering $500 cash back on Avenger
Americans are apparently suckers for a good bargain. Or maybe we're just addicted to rebates. In what appears to be a growing trend among automakers, Dodge is beginning Avenger sales by offering a sales incentive right off the bat. Granted it's only a small rebate, at $500, but it still strikes us as odd that Dodge doesn't think a brand new model can generate enough interest on its own. Ford and Mazda have done the same thing recently by offering incentives on a couple of fresh models that we thought would be able to create some dealer traffic just by showing up. The midsize Avenger apes the macho styling of the Charger and despite some mixed reviews from the media, it seems to be selling well since being piped into dealerships last month. Even before the national ad campaign has started. We can understand using these incentives to clear out decaying models, but this just seems silly. Maybe Dodge wants to guarantee they have a winner, but in sales it seems you never want to offer a discount until it's asked for. They must know something we don't. According to Kicking Tires, all Avenger trim levels qualify for the $500 rebate, which will expire April 2.
[Source: Kicking Tires]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tikirob 9:19AM (3/02/2007)
They did the same thing for the sebring, didn't they?
I always hear whining when GM or Ford left out a car...I think this is to get people in. As for addicted to rebates...you bet.
Rob
http://www.autoshortlist.com
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Bob-o 9:25AM (3/02/2007)
Yay for piss poor brand equity!
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kingvolcano 9:31AM (3/02/2007)
Lately, Dodge has one design scheme. Do they realize their market is shrinking?
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Snix 9:43AM (3/02/2007)
When was the last time there was a rebate on a Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti or even a Honda? That's right, NEVER!!! At least not in my neck of the woods.
Why do the domestics create an aura of cheapness by doing this? Just competitively price the vehicles and leave it at that. Savvy shoppers will know what the numbers should be, and some will negotiate. They are leaving money on the table and not building equity in the product.
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Adam 9:35AM (3/02/2007)
"Dodge already offering $500 cash back on Avenger"
That is because no one in there right mind would by this car.
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Dave in MI 9:38AM (3/02/2007)
If I can get a $500 rebate on $18,995, what's my rebate if I buy the whole Chryler group?
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RLFontano 9:45AM (3/02/2007)
Now that's confidence! The American car buying public
has been conditioned to not let American car makers even ask for a profit.
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thisislame 9:47AM (3/02/2007)
another joke of a product
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Paul Murray 1:07PM (3/02/2007)
"When was the last time there was a rebate on a Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti or even a Honda? That's right, NEVER!!! At least not in my neck of the woods."
They don't use rebates, they provide subvented lease deals. It's still an incentive.
I think #1 has it -- the logic is that a vehicle w/o an incentive is less visible.
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Accordsforall 10:06AM (3/02/2007)
Hmmm
When Dodge puts a 500bux on the avenger.. and 1g on the Sebring.. one word comes to mind.. D E S P E R A T E.
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ericthered 10:02AM (3/02/2007)
Now an SRT version of this would be sweet!! Forget the Caliber!
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redeye 10:18AM (3/02/2007)
#3 I agree, From the Ram to the caliber, they pretty much look all the same. As Homer Simpson would say, "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING"
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Greg 10:22AM (3/02/2007)
1/2 of the United States Blue Collar workers are in a recession, despite what you might here from the talking pundits on Corporate Owned News Networks.
This is the reason why the Auto Industry is suffering from slowing sales.
In the late 1980's, the US Gov't took away a very important tax write off from the American Family / Worker, and that was the ability to write off the sales tax of a new car from the end of the year tax returns.
The auto industry (I believe some of the exec's of these companies DO READ this board ) should lobby congress to bring this tax deduction back to the American Family / Worker.
This would make most rebates not neccessary.
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mkbruin 10:28AM (3/02/2007)
Snix:
Mercedes:
"Reward yourself in 2007 with a new Mercedes-Benz. Now through April 2nd, take advantage of special lease or finance offers on select models."
BMW: Currently has lease deals on EVERY model.
Lexus:
"Now through April 2, you can get a special lease on select Lexus vehicles. Choose from any of the powerful GS models, including the amazingly fast GS Hybrid. Also included are the technologically advanced RX Hybrid and the remarkably nimble IS sport sedan. For details, see your Lexus dealer."
Infiniti:
"A new Infiniti just became that much more tempting. For March 2007 special offers, see your Infiniti dealer. And be sure to visit your local Infiniti Dealer to obtain more information on available attractive lease rates."
Honda:
2007 Accord 4-cylinder Sedan Featured Special Lease
$199.00 per month for 36 months. $2,199.00 total due at signing.
2007 Accord 4-cylinder Coupe and 6-cylinder Coupe and Sedan Featured Special Lease
$279.00 per month for 36 months. $2,374.00 total due at signing.
2006 Honda Trucks (Excludes CR-V) Special AHFC A.P.R. Financing
0.9% APR for 36 months and 3.9% APR for 60 months
2007 Element Special AHFC A.P.R. Financing
0.9% APR for 36 months and 3.9% APR for 60 months
2006 Honda Trucks (Excludes CR-V) Special AHFC A.P.R. Financing
0.9% APR for 36 months and 3.9% APR for 60 months
2006 Honda Trucks (Excludes CR-V) Special AHFC A.P.R. Financing
0.9% APR for 36 months and 3.9% APR for 60 months
2006 Honda Trucks (Excludes CR-V) Special AHFC A.P.R. Financing
0.9% APR for 36 months and 3.9% APR for 60 months
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Accordsforall 10:29AM (3/02/2007)
Hmmm
Autoblog is a pretty "smart place" right??
Well cant you guys see who is going on your site and looking at what stories??
Cant you guys tell.. if the automakers are REALLY reading this stuff?? Just check their IP addy, and trace thatback through the phonelines.. to wherever they go..
Id love for them to see the stuff we write. Knowing full well that us consumers (read enthuasists) dont want certain vehicles.. and or money on the hood of a new vehicle?!
I only wish.. they read this stuff.
Then again... the execs who are in charge.. are nothing but suits. They treat our love for cars (not DCX made) like toothpaste or anything else thats mass produced.
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Accordsforall 10:37AM (3/02/2007)
Hmmmm
There is a big difference between dough on the hood in the form of CASH.. and a attractive lease deal from BMW / M-B or Infiniti
Most of the luxo stuff is leased anyway...
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Mike 10:39AM (3/02/2007)
"Then again... the execs who are in charge.. are nothing but suits. They treat our love for cars (not DCX made) like toothpaste or anything else thats mass produced."
What you meant to say:
then again... the execs who are in charge.. know we are nothing but empty heads. They treat our love for aisian cars (not DCX made) like toothpaste or anything else thats mass produced.
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david 10:50AM (3/02/2007)
be carefull mkbruin, accordsarecrapforall might be watching and we don't want him to have a hissy fit. he's a honda salesman.
funny, as i'm writing this there is a commercial on tv for a toyoda dealer in the chicago south suburbs for 0% or $500.00 to $3000.00 cash back on all new toyoda's including that new miracle that drives itself, loads itself, and repairs is't own sludge truck tundull.
as far as this avenger, it looks much better than the stratus. i kinda like it. we sold my wives 2000 sebring ragtop after 140K and only $300.00 in repairs so reliability is getting much better.
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Carletti 11:53AM (3/02/2007)
I agree with Snix and Accordsforall because the approach that, generally, domestic manufacturers take wreaks of desperation, is my simple view on that. For how else could you interpret a car company that unveils a brand new car to the public, and one that is bringing back a venerable name like Dodge is, and then just offering a rebate on it?
I think in the case of Toyota, for example, they can offer "$500 cash back" because the general public is so familiar with supposed Toyota reliability that they don't interpret the cash back or allowance bit with skepticism as much as they would with a Dodge. And, as a response to mkbruin, I understand where that comment is coming from but the messages emanating from all of those makes listed by mkbruin are sophisticated, for lack of a better term. Even with Honda, whenever they offer special financing, this selling point isn't forced onto the consumer, but is instead just a simple sidenote at the end of their commercials. But with Ford and Chrysler Group vehicles, the rebate is the first thing we see on the tv...as if the actual car didn't matter whatsoever and is just an appliance. The latter approach is extremely unflattering for any automaker utilizing it, is my personal view.
As for the Avenger car, I do like the look of it in some respects. For example, although the headlights should incorporate more edge in their otherwise banal design, I like the aggressive front end and how it seems to flow nicely through to the greenhouse. The major fault with this car, however, is the awkward C Pillar and how it bulges just above the greenhouse and then merges with the boot in a shell like, quasi hatchback, sort of manner. And, just below the greenhouse, that interesting bulge in the wheel well A) seems to serve no apparent purpose and B) is a design eyesore in my personal view. It also wouldn't hurt to put some lines on this car like a pronounced line below the beltline to signify power, which would kind of serve to differentiate the Avenger in the first place.
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Acre 11:56AM (3/02/2007)
Greg (12) - you can take a deduction for the sales tax if you live in a state that does not have an Income Tax. Granted, they simply extended this clause and it is set to expire in another year but it is there.
I don't really mind this small rebate. You may say that it reeks of desperation but it is a small amount and, if they simply take this out of the markup, this will only help to generate some interest from the people who do expect a bargain.
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