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Black Friday Car Deals Squeeze Out Extra Cash for Auto Shoppers
Black Friday (Nov. 27) may be getting a little stale for traditional retail shoppers, especially with all the online deals throughout the year. However, taking advantage of a Black Friday deal on one of the biggest consumer purchases—a new car, SUV or pickup—is boosting auto sales and may save a consumer several thousand dollars. The after-Thanksgiving Black Friday event seems to have started even earlier this year—and will continue through the end of December. Also, look for dealer specials by geographic region.
Auto deals are especially sweet for consumers in the market for a 2015 model—available with hefty discounts to make room for 2016 model-year vehicles. Dealers have a better selection of vehicles now, although lowest-negotiated prices may be available on a leaner selection of them in December. Most of the current offers end by Jan. 4, 2016. In addition, the major luxury brands, which see some of their highest sales totals in the last months of the year, also are offering major rebates and are advertising “rich” deals.
These deals can save a buyer anywhere from 10% to 25% off the sticker price. Some Black Friday enticements include zero-down to low 1.9% finance rates; a spate of longer-term loans—72-75 months; special lease rates on premium models; loyalty cash; and cash back. Just remember that showrooms may be crowded, so it’s a good idea to do online research ahead of time to find specifics at automaker and independent websites, such as jdpower.com/cars.
These year-end sweeteners also help rev up end-of-2015 auto sales for dealers and automakers. Dealers are extending their hours and offering their own packages, too. Generally, dealers want to move their slower sellers, which currently include midsize sedans and hybrids. These events will continue to prime this month’s sales.
Some of the deals available to shoppers are highlighted:
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ stable of brands (Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, and Ram) are offering zero-percent financing for up to 75-month loans on select 2015 models. Fiat also has a special “Black Friday Sales Event Blockbuster” that matches its stablemates.
Ford is continuing its “Friends and Neighbors” promotion through Black Friday weekend (Nov. 27-Nov. 30). The midsize Fusion, even the hybrid version, receives a spiff of nearly $2,000 in some areas. The best-selling, redesigned 2015 F-Series large pickup also has $2,000 back in some areas and financing through Ford Credit with low APRs. There’s even an 84-month deal in some areas for the top-selling truck. Additionally, online, Ford is advertising: “Get Ford Black Friday bonus cash of $500 on the 2015/2016 Escape and 2015 Edge and $750 on the 2015/2016 Fusion and 2015 Focus.”
General Motors’ Chevrolet brand has a website banner: “Shop, Click Drive. The price you see is the price you’ll pay” for Black Friday. It extends through Nov. 30. Some models receive as much as 20% off the MSRP in cash back on select 2015 models in stock. Buyers who qualify can get 0% financing for 72 months on all 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 pickups. On an alternative note, the new 2016 Volt can be leased for $299 per month for 39 months through November 30, according to several reports. Two other General Motors’ brands—Buick and GMC—are reducing prices as part of their Black Friday promotions. Among other notable Chevy deals, the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ has sweeteners worth as much as $7,168, while a 2015 Malibu LT MSRP has been trimmed by 20%, or about $4,912. And a buyer can get nearly $8,500 off on a 2015 Camaro SS model.
Don’t forget midsize vans—the Honda Odyssey is being offered to entice consumers with more than $1,000 off sticker. “Happy Honda Sales Event” deals are available regionally. There’s even a special deal on the most popular SUV in America. The the CR-V crossover can be had for $209 per month for 39 months in most regions.
Hyundai Motor Corp. is offering the 2016 Equus premium sedan for just over $59,000—a reduction of more than $3,300 from its MSRP. The Equus will be part of the new Genesis brand lineup in the future. New-vehicle buyers can save as much as $2,000-$3,000 on other models from Hyundai over Black Friday, including the Veloster and Elantra. Hyundai’s sister brand, Kia, is providing a deal on the Forte—as much as $1,500.
Mazda doesn’t have a specific Black Friday spiff, but is offering a 0% package deal that omits the first-month payment on a 2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport FWD Automatic on a regional basis.
Mitsubishi Motors is broadcasting its Holiday Sales Event with $500 cash on select models such as the 2016 Outlander. There’s also a loyalty rebate of $500 for some Mitsubishi, Saturn, or Suzuki customers on the 2016 Lancer. Zero-percent for 60 months is also offered on the 2016 electric I-MiEV in some regions.
Nissan says “Black Friday is back and there’s no camping necessary.” Black Friday blasts across the website home page with up to $1,000 bonus cash on selected new models from 2014-2016. Specials for the holiday include up to $3,525 off of the stickers for the 2015 Nissan Altima and as much as $1,750 in savings on the Sentra.
Toyota’s many Black Friday deals are being promoted regionally. Southern California Toyota dealers are offering specials on 2015 Priuses that include a $500 Amazon.com gift card. Other specials include $500 cash back from Toyota for the 2016 Camry best-selling car in the U.S. and there’s a deal on the 2016 Corolla—0% interest for 60 months. Consumers in some areas can also get $2,500 back if they buy a 2015 Camry.
Subaru dealers are creating unique programs where the brand will donate $250 to a buyer or lessee’s charity of choice before Jan. 2, 2016, now as part of its “Subaru Share the Love Event.”
Volkswagen is not limiting its promotions to the Black Friday motif. The German mass-market brand has upped its discounts by more than one-fourth in order to keep consumers coming into showrooms in light of the diesel emissions software debacle. For instance, a 2016 Jetta is offered at a 0% down rate and there’s a $1,500 owner loyalty bonus on 2015/2016 models. For buyers of select 2016 Passats, there’s even a $500 switching bonus, too.
Luxury Brand Black Friday and Holiday Deals:
Acura has its “Winter Sales Event” specials on select models—a 3-year lease with a monthly payment of $239 that includes down payment on the 2016 ILX.
Audi is advertising its "Season of Audi Sales Event“ for Black Friday online with special loan APRs beginning at 1.9%.
Want a BMW 3 Series—the best-selling model in the German automaker’s lineup? The 328i is available with a break of $2,475 during the holidays. Even the 228i is offered right now at a savings of nearly $2,300.
Cadillac is giving big cash back—$3,600—for its high-end CTS luxury sedan. The promotion slogan: “Get the Cadillac you so richly deserve.”
Jaguar is promoting a winter event with in-stock delivery through Jan. 4 that features special 1.9% financing for 60 months and $1,000 holiday credit on its XF.
Land Rover also is offering special lease deals and $500-$1,000 holiday cash on some models, such as the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque SE.
Lexus started early by wooing holiday gift buyers with ads displaying models with giant ribbon bows in consumer driveways as it promotes “December to Remember” deals that include low-mileage 3-year leases with monthly payments of $319 and low down payments on higher-priced models. Interested in a hybrid? The 2016 Lexus CT 200h can be leased for $299 a month for 36 months.
Lincoln is touting its “Wish List” sales event that may include $500 loyalty cash; $1,000 bonus cash; or special low APRs with up to 72-month loan terms and $1,000 cash on the 2016 Navigator. The MKZ Hybrid lease plan is particularly friendly with discounts of as much as $4,750 this month.
Mercedes-Benz is splashing its “Winter Event” with “This holiday, wake up to the vehicle of your dreams” across its home website. Special lease deals and lower APRs—as low as 2.9%—are available on its volume-selling 2016 C-Class models.
Abstract:
Taking advantage of a Black Friday deal on one of the biggest consumer purchases—a new car, SUV or pickup—is boosting auto sales and may save a consumer several thousand dollars.
