Ford Flexes Incentives
If you’re planning on buying a Ford this week, you might want to hold off a bit. Reuters reports that Ford will introduce Employee Pricing and cash incentives next week in an effort to turn around flagging sales. The incentive program will be available on most 2008 and 2009 Ford vehicles, with the notable exception of the all-new F150. But Ford isn’t the only struggling automaker trying to boost year-end sales and clear inventories through profit-munching incentives. GM’s “Year End Red Tag Sale” is also trying to squeeze sales from the dried-up American market, although added sales do little to prevent either automakers’ arterial spray of red ink. Toyota and Mazda are both trying aggressively drive sales as well, offering zero-percent financing on many models at a time when a lack of auto financing is dragging sales downwards. Ford’s offer will begin next Wednesday and will run through January 5, according to Reuters’ unnamed sources. If sales stay down, it won’t be a very merry Christmas at all this year.
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joeaverage: DCP includes "Theft deterrent system with content alarm, remote vehicle starter system, RainSense wipers, Ultrasonic rear park assist and StabiliTrak stability control system with brake assist". The Buick wasn't my choice; she insisted on a GM car so she could use her GM credit card points. I tried to explain that the depreciation hit more than wipes that out, but she wants to "Buy American". I give her props for her convictions. She at least puts her money where her mouth is; but judging by the 2001 LeSabre she traded in, quality will still be an issue. With a 6-speed auto, the Lucerne would be a decent car; not my cup of tea, but a decent car. With the ancient 4-speed in it, it's merely adequate. For the car's target market, though, it's probably OK. It's light-years ahead of her old LeSabre (which isn't saying much), and seems well put together. It rides very quietly, but the suspension is very soft. Will probably be an excellent highway cruiser. It took me about an hour to program all the various choices for the security system, warnings, seats, etc. She would NEVER have figured them all out. I will give GM credit for allowing the owner to program how they want the car set up; it's very customizable. As to whether GM will be there to honor the warranty; that's why I told her to pass on GM's extended warranty.
I certainly believe that dealerships are now less busy than normal but even during very good times normal dealership sell less than a hunderd cars a week. That is on average two an hour. Add randomness and the fact that some hours are busier than others and you have whole hours in which no cars are sold. Thus one can't use the anecdote i was at the dealership and it was dead quiet as proof that the carmarket has crashed
If a dealer is not busy on a Saturday afternoon (barring awful weather) it won't be at any other time.
True, but even than the randomness of clients makes it that you can't use it as proof