Autoblog

Not So Fast: Subaru says no incentives on BRZ after all

Zach Bowman — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Subaru

Sorry to rain on everyone's parade, but Subaru isn't offering any incentives on its BRZ after all. Company spokesman Michael McHale tells Autoblog that the $400 figure quoted in a recent USA Today article can be traced to an analyst's calculation of the value of the current Subaru 2.9-percent APR program. Subaru says the company committed to selling 6,000 BRZ units in the first year of production and it is already well on its way to hitting that figure.

As you may recall, USA Today reported Subaru began offering $400 incentives last month to help the BRZ keep pace with the lower-priced, less-equipped Scion FR-S. Comparing base model to base model, the FR-S is substantially less expensive, and Scion sold 2,684 FR-S models in June. That's considerably more than the 818 units Subaru managed to move during the same time period, but apparently Subaru's volume goals are more modest, perhaps because of capacity constraints.

Not So Fast: Subaru says no incentives on BRZ after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler launches 'No Payments for 90 Days' incentive

Scott Burgess — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

Chrysler upped the ante for May sales announcing this week a deferred payment program for anyone buying a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Fiat between now and the end of May.

The "No Payments for 90 Days" program began Monday and runs until May 31. Qualified buyers financing their new vehicles through Ally Financial or Chase Auto Finance are eligible for deferment. Some consumers may not be eligible due to state laws.

It's an interesting twist to spur sales, as Chrysler has seen a 31-percent increase in sales this year, well ahead of the 10-percent increase for the industry. However, sales at Chrysler slowed in April, climbing just 18 percent, while overall industry sales mildly grew 2.3 percent.

Additionally, Chrysler announced it was doubling down on military members and their families with its "Military Appreciation Bonus Consumer Cash". Instead of giving eligible military members $500 toward a vehicle purchase, Chrysler is spotting them $1,000 through the end of the month.

The hot selling 2012 Dodge Avenger SE, Chrysler 200 LX sedan, Dodge Journey AVP, Fiat 500 Abarth and all SRT models, including the soon to arrive Viper, are exempt from the deal. See more details below.

Continue reading Chrysler launches 'No Payments for 90 Days' incentive

Chrysler launches 'No Payments for 90 Days' incentive originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shanghai GMC dealer offering five tons of free gas with truck purchase

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, China, GMC

Big trucks just aren't appealing enough on their own, at least in some places. For proof, look to a Shanghai GMC dealer who is offering about three years worth of free gas to anyone who buys a new Sierra Denali. Too bad it'll take about 20 years to pay off the big truck.

The dealer is giving away five tons - about 2,000 gallons, worth around $8,000 in China - of petrol to new Sierra Denali buyers in China's largest city, according to The Detroit Bureau. The offer appears to be a nod to rising China gas prices, which are climbing towards levels similar to those in the U.S. now that the Chinese government is doing less to artificially keep gas prices down. Full-size trucks have been sold in China for about three years and are known to be status symbols in China, says The Detroit Bureau.

There is, of course, a catch. The Denali, unlike most General Motors vehicles sold in China, is built in the U.S., so the price tag is about $134,000, or almost three times what the model sells for in the States. Here's hoping a few free car washes come with those full tanks.

Shanghai GMC dealer offering five tons of free gas with truck purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2012 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Transit Connect Electric to qualify for $15,000 rebate in California

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Government/Legal, Ford, Electric

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is set to add an additional category to its Hybrid Incentive Voucher Program (HVIP) that awards buyers of zero-emissions light-duty commercial vehicles, including the Ford Transit Connect Electric, a discount of up to $15,000 on their green vehicle purchase.

Starting in November, light-duty zero-emissions commercial vehicles with a GVWR between 5,001 and 8,500 pounds will be eligible for vouchers of up to $15,000 in California. This discount will reportedly be available to all fleets, public or private, that register the zero-emissions vehicles in the state of California. This $15,000 discount, coupled with the federal government's $7,500 tax credit, means that some buyers of the Transit Connect Electric will get a whopping $22,500 off the vehicle's $57,400 price tag.

Vouchers for the light-duty zero-emissions category are valued at $15,000 for a fleet's first vehicle ordered, with $12,000 off all purchases thereafter for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. Proposed vouchers for Fiscal Year 2012 dip to $12,000 for the first three vehicles, $10,000 for the next 27 purchased, $8,000 for vehicles 31-65 and $6,000 for vehicles 66-100.

Ford Transit Connect Electric to qualify for $15,000 rebate in California originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Secretary LaHood says plug-in vehicle point-of-purchase rebates could replace tax credits in 2012

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 19 May 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials, Electric

Back in February, President Obama proposed changing the credit for plug-in vehicles over to a point-of-purchase rebate, a move that would likely speed up the $7,500 payment. Under the proposal, dealers would reduce the sticker price of eligible plug-in vehicles and apply for reimbursement from the government.

Well, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Congress will consider the proposed plug-in point-of-purchase rebate as part of changes to U.S. tax and energy policy for 2012. LaHood, who was touring Nissan's Smyrna, TN facility on Tuesday, told those in attendance:

We're doing a lot of talking about it. When you give people that incentive to buy a battery-powered car, they'll do it. We know these incentives help.

Under current policy, consumers who buy qualifying vehicles like the Nissan Leaf or the Chevrolet Volt receive a $7,500 credit when they file their federal income tax returns. LaHood says that the Obama Administration firmly believes that allowing dealers to handle the incentive as an immediate rebate will entice consumers and, hopefully, convince them to buy plug-in vehicles.

Secretary LaHood says plug-in vehicle point-of-purchase rebates could replace tax credits in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 May 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM offering special discounts to rejected franchise customers, move angers dealer group

Michael Harley — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Earnings/Financials

Realizing that one of its keys to survival is retaining existing owners, General Motors is proactively enticing nearly one million customers - those loyal to now-closed dealerships - with significant financial incentives. According to Automotive News, GM started sending 950,000 letters out last week to customers of stores which have shut down or lost a brand franchise. Included in the correspondence are $1,000 to $2,000 discounts towards purchasing vehicles from one of GM's four surviving U.S. brands (the incentive amount is based on the customer's "likelihood to purchase a GM vehicle and the relative distance to the next closest dealer," according to a letter GM sent to dealers outlining the program).

General Motors has about 5,860 dealerships right now. A total of 1,839 have agreed to shut down by October of 2010, helping the company downsize to between 3,600 and 4,000 retailers over the long term. While this incentive is scheduled to end January 4, a second wave of incentives (including one targeting Saturn customers) is expected to begin early next year. In addition, GM has also issued a service offer which runs through May that includes free vehicle inspections and tire rotations to displaced customers.

The retention programs - obviously meant to move customers between stores - have dealer advocate groups up in arms. Some dealers are still actively trying to get their franchises off the "kill list," and GM has said recently that some may in fact be welcomed back into the fold. As such, Automotive News quotes Tamara Darvish, a leader of the Committee to Restore Dealer Rights as saying "This is an inappropriate time to take such an aggressive measure... If in fact dealer rights are to be restored, why would GM go in and move all those customers?"

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd | Image: Mark Ralston/Getty]

REPORT: GM offering special discounts to rejected franchise customers, move angers dealer group originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Government credits 180,000 sales to Cash-for-Clunkers incentive

Michael Harley — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:54:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Ford, Toyota

Even without a Cash for Clunkers $2 billion extension locked in place by the Senate, the U.S. government bean counters are crediting the auto incentive for moving more than 180,000 vehicles off dealer lots. The big winner so far is Toyota, knocking Ford's Focus off the top-selling vehicle spot with its economy-oriented Corolla sedan.

According to the numbers, more than 80 percent of the traded-in vehicles were light trucks (including SUVs, pickups, and vans), and 59 percent of the purchases are passenger cars... meaning the program is successfully replacing those thirsty vehicles with a class that is a bit more efficient.

The list of top-10 most traded-in vehicles is chock-full of domestic trucks. The soon-to-be-euthanized victims include five light trucks by Ford, three Jeep and Dodge brands, and two Chevys. And lastly, for those keeping track of the decimal points, the new vehicles being sold under the program earn an average 25.3 mpg, while the condemned only brought an 18.5 mpg average to the party.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Government credits 180,000 sales to Cash-for-Clunkers incentive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Hyundai 'We pay you for buying our cars' campaign really just deferred incentives?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai

The Hyundai Assurance program may well go down as the most innovative and perhaps successful marketing campaign of 2009. The program was so perfect for our economic times that General Motors and Ford eventually followed suit with very similar offers. But according to The New York Times, Hyundai's marketing magic may have worn out with the South Korean automaker's newest offer - an incentive that sounds great until you dig just beneath the surface.

The new Hyundai campaign promises to pay customers during the first six vehicle payments on any model purchased before June 30. As you likely already know, the payment paradigm usually works the other way around, and the new Hyundai plan sounds like a real winner for the customer. In fact, though, the payment basically takes the place of a lump sum cash incentive that would normally be due at signing. That's right, we're talking about the repackaging of existing customer rebates. In this case, you get six small payments (on a Visa card) spread out over six months instead of one big rebate that you would traditionally receive up front. When considering the fact that the standard lump sum rebate can often be used to lower your car payments - while also taking a bite out of interest payments through the life of the loan - we'll take our rebates the old fashioned way.

[Source: The New York Times via Kicking Tires]

New Hyundai 'We pay you for buying our cars' campaign really just deferred incentives? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dismal April motivates Toyota to increase production and incentives

Michael Harley — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Marketing/Advertising, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

With April's sales volume down over 41% and Ford pushing it aside in the numbers race, the Toyota division is motivated to move units in May. At the request of dealers, the automaker is boosting production of its best-selling Toyota Camry and popular RAV4 SUV. In addition, a new ad campaign, called "Perfect Timing," started on Friday. It is an attempt to boost sales on vehicles using reduced interest rates, more consumer cash and a focus on low payment leases. The campaign caters to regional needs with aggressive leases in the East, and zero-percent interest rates in the West and Midwest. Bob Carter, Toyota division general manager, told Automotive News that "there will be an enhanced package of incentives compared with what Toyota currently offers." Carter didn't elaborate, so it seems you'll just have to visit a showroom to get the details. Regardless, it appears that Toyota is willing to make a deal like never before.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd | Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Dismal April motivates Toyota to increase production and incentives originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler Financial turns the screws on dealers

Michael Harley — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

It's not getting any easier to be a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealer. Last month, when Chrysler Financial asked banks and investors to renew their $30 billion line of credit, they came up about $6 billion short. To make matters worse, the investors forced the automaker to follow much tighter financial guidelines (including a requirement to get out of leasing). Now, the cash shortfall is forcing the financial division to significantly turn up the heat on their retailers. Over the next few months, the financial arm will jack up dealer floorplan interest rates, and levy hefty fees for vehicles that sit unsold on dealer lots. With sales way down (in August, Chrysler's sales fell a sickening 34.5 percent -- the steepest decline of any major manufacturer), cash-strapped dealers are obviously unhappy with the news. Many fear this may signal the start of a new retailer initiative to limit vehicle inventory, hurting sales even further. As expected in this industry, bad news for retailers often means good news for consumers. With the new fees on the horizon, dealers will be offering significant incentives to dump inventory over the next few months.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Chrysler Financial turns the screws on dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Only 5-10% of customers choose Chrysler's $2.99 gas guarantee

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Earnings/Financials

It looks like car shoppers have been smart enough to see past Chrysler's cheap gas guarantee. Despite Chrysler's extension of the offer for an extra month, a very small percentage of actual consumers have actually chosen the gas guarantee over the old fashioned cash back options. As we've reported in the past, the incentive wasn't really as good as it seemed once the math was done. As was pointed out by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a 3 mpg bump in efficiency would be equal to the savings Chrysler was offering. Additionally, Chrysler not only has the worst fleet in terms of fuel efficiency, but many of its products haven't exactly set the world on fire based solely on their own merit. The performance of the incentive deal suggests that in today's world average consumers may not want to be seen driving gas guzzling vehicles, regardless of what they're paying for fuel. Good products are still the only real way to guarantee sales, though cash back incentives still have an impact. Perhaps Chrysler should have offered firearms.

[Source: Auto Observer]

Only 5-10% of customers choose Chrysler's $2.99 gas guarantee originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford ramps up F-150 production ahead of 2009 model changeover

Michael Harley — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

If you ever wanted to put an Ford F-150 in your driveway, this summer may be the best time to make your move. As the new 2009 F-150 nears production, Ford is increasing its plant's output of the 2008 F-150 to ensure enough supply remains during July and August when plant production will be transitioning to the all-new model. The last time Ford took such measures was back in 2003, when it sold the F-150 "Heritage" alongside its replacement. Things have changed, however, as there are now only two plants producing the F-150 (compared to four in 2003), and the economy isn't nearly as strong.

There is a fair amount of risk involved during a model change-over for a vehicle with such high sales and production numbers (Ford sold about 414,000 F-150s in 2007). On one hand, Ford needs to keep dealers from drying out during the production slow-down. On the other, the last thing dealers need is a surplus of 2008 models just as the 2009 models arrive. It is a delicate balancing game between supply and demand.

With production ramping, supplies are already up. As of March 1st, Ford had an inventory of 200,000 F-series pickups (a 96-day supply). Last year at this time, it had 176,200. Inventory isn't the only thing on the rise. In a move that will benefit consumers, financial incentives are skyrocketing. Compared to this time last year, incentives are up by $733 to a whopping $4,514 per truck. Nothing sounds sweeter to consumers than high inventory levels combined with substantial incentives -- if you are in the market for a new F-150, this is music to your ears.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd, Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty]

Ford ramps up F-150 production ahead of 2009 model changeover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canada's new budget will add $4,000 tax to SUVs

John Neff — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

The Canadian government's new proposed budget includes both a $2,000 incentive for buying fuel efficient vehicles like hybrids and a $4,000 tax for purchasing less efficient models like SUVs. Unfortunately, the Detroit News article doesn't specify how the budget determines what vehicles qualify for the fuel efficiency rebate and which get dinged with the heavy tax.

What affect the Canadian government's new budget will have on car buying habits in the country is unclear, as Canadians don't buy many SUVs to begin with - only around 15,000 in 2006. At the same time, the environmentally-inspired incentive/tax combo may serve to irritate the very automakers that are deciding which plants they can afford to idle or shut down completely, many of which are located in Ontario.

The plan also has plenty of loopholes that can be used to get around the tax. For instance, it doesn't apply to used vehicles, so Canadians can freely buy year-old HUMMERs for significantly less than a new one. There's always the option of driving south to purchase a car in the States, as well, though we're not clear what mess of paperwork that would create to own and operate it back in Canada.

You can read all the details about Canada's new budget and how it affects the auto industry here.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Canada's new budget will add $4,000 tax to SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Welcome to the family: Ford Edge gets first rebate

John Neff — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Ford

The arrival of the Edge CUV is now complete with word that Ford has just put some cash on the hood of its golden child for the first time. In reality, the incentive is being offered only for base SE models and is paid to the dealer to use how he or she feels fit. So it's not like you'll be seeing this incentive advertised in your Sunday circular.

It turns out that demand for more expensive versions of the Edge has been greater than Ford anticipated, and as a result these base SE models, which so far have comprised only 20% of Edge sales, have been sitting on lots longer than expected. That's the kind of good bad news we'd like to hear if most of our eggs are sitting shotgun in a single model. The base Edge SE starts at $25,995, while the mid-range SEL begins at $27,990 and the top-level SEL Plus at $29,745. Automotive News reports that an Edge optioned to the hilt can even reach $36,000. Ford sold 5,586 units of the Edge in January, its first full month of sales. If most of those were SEL and SEL Plus models, all the better for Ford.

[Source: Automotive News]

Welcome to the family: Ford Edge gets first rebate originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM returns to incentives to perk up February sales

John Neff — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, GM

January was a harsh month for the domestics, mainly because reduced sales to fleet and rental companies dragged down the raw number of units sold. Still, General Motors apparently doesn't like the red on the balance sheet and has introduced a new round of incentives to ensure February's numbers are better. Announced today, buyers in the Midwest and Northeast regions are being offered $500 bonus cash and 0% financing for five years, most likely as a bribe to pry them from their sofas and brave the snowy climes to buy a car. As always, most 2006 and 2007 models are included except for the cool stuff, like the Pontiac Solstics, Saturn Sky, Chevy Corvette Z06, Saturn VUE Hybrid, all medium-duty trucks and the Cadillac, HUMMER and Saab brands. Automotive News reports that GM actually kept to its promise last month of reducing incentive spending, shelling out only $2,365 per vehicle. While still far more than some imports spend, it was much less than the $3,853 spend by Ford and $3,502 spent by the Chrysler Group.

[Source: Automotive News]

GM returns to incentives to perk up February sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take our cars, please: Top 10 cash-back offers

John Neff — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 07:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Kia, Saab

Automakers with remaining 2006 inventory are getting desperate in some cases to get rid of their lot. Cars.com has assembled the 10 best incentive offers based on the percentage off of a car's base MSRP, and Kia tops the list by offering 26.32% off the Sorento and 23.87% of off the Sedona minivan. Why so much? Because they're 2005 models! The third vehicle on the list, however, is the most appealing to us. Saab wants to get rid of the last remaining 9-2X models and is offering $5,000 off of the car's base MSRP, which amounts to a substantial 21.75% discount on what is essentially a more luxurious Subaru WRX. The rest of the list is as follows.

2005 Kia Sorento - $5,000 (26.32%) exp. 1/2/07
2005 Kia Sedona - $5,000 (23.87%) exp. 1/2/07
2006 Saab 9-2X - $5,000 (21.75%) exp. 10/2/06
2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab - $4,500 (21.31%) exp. 10/2/06
2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab (excl. SRT10) - $4,500 (21.28%) exp. 10/2/06
2006 Ford Freestar - $5,000 (21.14%) exp. 10/2/06
2006 Lincoln LS - $8,000 (20.36%) exp. 10/2/06
2006 Mercury Grand Marquis - $5,000 (20.18%) exp. 10/2/06
2005 Kia Spectra - $2,500 (19.46%) exp. 1/2/07
2006 Ford F-150 SuperCab - $4,500 (18.66%) exp. 10/2/06

[Source: Cars.com]

Take our cars, please: Top 10 cash-back offers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM celebrates Labor Day with bonus cash

John Neff — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, GM

Today General Motors announced that it will be offering an extra $500 to $1,500 in bonus cash on most 2007 and 2007 models. The offer is part of GM's Labor Day sale and the company stresses that it's not backing away from its value pricing push. The new rebates are in addition to the current low-interest financing offers and any other cash bonuses currently being offered in one's region.

Of course, the best and newest GM models are not eligible including the Pontiac Solstice; Saturn Sky, Aura and VUE Green Line, Chevy Corvette; 2007 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL Denali; HUMMER H1; and 2007 Cadillac Escalade.

Customers will basically get $500 back for purchasing a car, $1,000 back for a pickup and $1,500 back for a truck-based SUV. The offer expires on September 5th.

[Source: the Detroit Free Press]

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GM celebrates Labor Day with bonus cash originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan tries new incentive: Buy Now, Pay Later

John Neff — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 19:07:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Nissan

Beginning today, Nissan is offering its buyers a creative new incentive that it hopes will spur the company's sagging sales. Any customer who buys a Nissan now through October 2 won't have to make a payment for 130 days. That means if you bought a Versa today, your first payment wouldn't be due until January 2nd. For some reason the offer is not available to residents of Michigan, Maine and Pennsylvania and Nissan has given no explanation for the exclusion of these states.

This is another one of those incentives that could be a double-edged sword for unsavvy consumers. While not making payments seems like fun at first, this type of deal will quickly increase the disparity between what is owed on these vehicles versus what they're worth. A year or two down the line an owner might be caught off guard to find how much negative equity has accumulated in their aging Nissan.

[Source: The Detroit Times]

Nissan tries new incentive: Buy Now, Pay Later originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Aug 2006 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM announces new incentives through end of summer

Erin Mays — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn

Today General Motors announced a new discount program for Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saab and Saturn (not Cadillac and HUMMER) that features a little bit of cash back and a lot of 0% financing. The industry is seeing a larger than normal number of people opt for financing because of rising interest rates, and GM's own 72-Hour Sale over the Fourth of July weekend that offered 0%-financing deals gave the company a boost almost big enough to reach its sales goal for July.

The new incentives will be marketed separately for each of the six brands participating, with Saturn taking the decidedly hassle-free approach of just lopping 10-percent off the sum of the sticker price and destination charges. The other brands will have a menu of financing options and bonus cash that range from 0% financing for 36 months all the way up to 72 months on some SUVs and big pickups. This new incentive drive will also extend financing and bonus cash offers on most 2007 SUVs and big pickups, though won't go so far as to offer 0% financing on any '07 models.

This push will take us all the way through the end of the summer and conclude on September 5th, which means GM will have survived the summer without offering us the enticing yet damaging carrot of employee pricing.

[Source: The Detroit News]

GM announces new incentives through end of summer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jul 2006 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford of Canada already offering employee pricing

John Neff — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 10:13:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford

Thanks to a tip from Bill we've learned that Ford of Canada has already kicked off its summer incentive drive by offering employee pricing to all Canadians. Called Ford Family Pricing, the program began on June 16th and will run through August 31st. The vehicles not included are the standard fare like the Mustang Shelby GT500 and Ford GT, along with newer models like the Edge and Lincoln MKX. What kind of discount can Canadians expect? A 2006 Ford Focus ZX5 SES with an MSRP of $23,099 (all prices Canadian) can be had for the Ford Family Price of $21,123 and get another $3,000 off in additional incentives, making the final price $18,123.

Ford is currently running its Model Year Clearance in the U.S. with 0-percent financing on most vehicles and up to $1,000 in gas, E85 or diesel fuel for the year.

[Source: Ford of Canada]

Ford of Canada already offering employee pricing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jul 2006 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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