Globe Drive

ACURA/HONDA

This year has been a struggle for Acura. Sales were down 20 per cent through the first three-quarters of the year. You'll find factory incentives on many Acura models. Honda this week cut prices on several 2010 models.

Standout deal: The 2009 MDX sport-utility is a steal, with an $8,500 incentive.

AUDI/VOLKSWAGEN

Audi, the luxury affiliate of Volkswagen, is a perfect example of what a sexy new lineup can do to drive sales. Dealer discounts are available on 2009s, but Car Cost Canada reports no factory incentives from Audi Canada. VW Canada sales are slightly up on the year, which means that, while there are deals, they are carefully placed.

Standout deal: If you must have an incentive, VW Canada has a $1,500 incentive on the already well-priced City Golf.

BMW

(BMW and Mini)

BMW is in a tight race to remain the No. 1 premium brand in Canada. Yearly sales were up nearly 6 per cent through September.

Standout deal: The last time we checked, BMW Canada had a $2,500 incentive on cash buys and $2,000 on lease or finance deals for the 2009 3-Series – arguably one of the very best cars in the world at any price.

GENERAL MOTORS

(Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC)

General Motors Canada is unable to offer leasing through its GMAC financing arm. So GM's four remaining brands all have very tidy offers for cash buyers. Take your time sorting them out; GM's offers are detailed and can be complicated to piece together.

Standout deal: The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is an excellent family-size crossover wagon. The $2,000 Cash for Clunkers bonus is good on trade-ins of vehicles 1995 or older and there is an additional $1,000 bonus if you are already a GM owner.

CHRYSLER

(Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep)

Like GM, Chrysler is hamstrung in Canada on offering leasing. Chrysler does have big-time sweeteners on virtually all its models, however.

Standout deal: The Dodge Journey crossover wagon is very much the ideal ride for many Canadian families. The 2010 version has a $1,000 incentive and good finance rates, too.

FORD

(Ford and Lincoln)

Ford sales are up notably in Canada, as is market share. Sales are being driven by a combination of good new models such as the 2010 Ford Fusion and strong marketing.

Standout deal: The Ford Escape small SUV is the right size for Canadian families, it's decently reliable and pleasant to drive, and Ford Canada has put some money on the hood – up to $6,000 or more on 2009 versions for those who take advantage of all the offers, including the Recycle Your Ride program for 1995 or older models.

HYUNDAI

Hyundai is grabbing market share as sales rise on a combination of excellent pricing and solid products. Two Hyundai models (the Elantra and Accent) are among Canada's top five best-selling cars, and the Santa Fe is the No. 8 light truck.

Standout deal: The current Santa Fe will be replaced by an all-new version early next year. That's an incentive to keep the current one moving. If you can find a 2009, this model has up to $4,500 in incentives that can be combined with 0-per-cent financing for four years.

JAGUAR/LAND ROVER

The British brands now owned by India's Tata make some beautiful and beautifully performing cars. Yet while sales are down 21 and 25 per cent for Jaguar and Land Rover respectively, the factory is not putting cash on the table to move the metal. Dealers are, though.

Standout deal: The XF is an excellent mid-size luxury sedan with a strong resale value. By negotiating hard and understanding invoice pricing, buyers should be able to get an XF with savings of $3,000 or more off the sticker price.

2010 Kia Soul

KIA

Strong new designs and improving quality are helping Kia improve sales and grab market share in Canada. Still, there are deals to be had on most Kia models – including a four-month payment deferral program on 2009 models.

Standout deal: The 2010 Soul is a hot little compact and it proves boxy can also be stylish. It comes with a $750 incentive.

MAZDA

Over all, Mazda is holding steady with its market share in a down market. Naturally, to remain competitive, there are interesting offers on hand.

Standout deal: The Mazda6 mid-size sedan is solid family car with a $2,500 incentive on 2009 versions. Good deal on a car that was seriously reinvented only last year.

MERCEDES-BENZ

(Mercedes-Benz and Smart)

Mercedes-Benz has pushed hard all year to supplant BMW as the country's No. 1 premium brand. That has led to interesting pricing and attractive deals on vehicles pegged with strong residual values that lower leasing payments.

Standout deal: Dealer discounts are available on the 2010 Mercedes GLK SUV. The GLK stands out as the highest-quality model rated by Consumer Reports in its latest reliability study.

MITSUBISHI

Mitsubishi has a lineup well suited to Canada, thus sales are up more than 7 per cent on the year and Mitsu has picked up market share, too. There are deals to be had, of course, and they help drive showroom traffic and close sales.

Standout deal: We like the Lancer compact a lot and it comes with a $500 incentive on 2009 models.

NISSAN

(Nissan and Infiniti)

Nissan and its Infiniti luxury brand have managed to maintain market share in a tough market this year. Factory incentives have done much to keep products moving out the door, though in general Nissan is not throwing money at the market.

Standout deal: The Altima mid-size sedan is a good, solid family ride and, on 2009 models, Nissan has a $1,500 cash incentive that can be combined with 1.9-per-cent financing for five years.

SUBARU

Subaru sales in Canada are defying gravity, up more than 8 per cent on the year. The lineup is strong and pretty new across the board. Subarus have top-notch safety and quality, along with standard all-wheel-drive on every vehicle.

Standout deal: The Forester wagon was reinvented only last year and, while there are no factory deals, it's a solid car at a fair price.

SUZUKI

Suzuki is managing to retain its small slice of the Canadian market. Many of its offerings are good, but weak marketing has left them anonymous to many Canadians.

Standout deal: The SX4 hatchback is a strong all-wheel-drive compact offering. A $2,500 incentive and 0-per-cent financing for five years makes it very attractive.

TOYOTA

(Toyota and Lexus)

Toyota officials say sales have stabilized after a tough first nine months of 2009. Overall sales are down nearly 20 per cent and market share is off 0.8 per cent. This has put Toyota in the odd position of having to offer incentives, even though Toyota Canada moved quickly last year to lower prices on many models.

Standout deal: The Corolla is the No. 2-selling car in Canada and it was updated only last year. On 2009 models, there is a $2,000 incentive.

VOLVO

Volvo's market share is holding steady and sales are down only marginally on the year. But an aging lineup remains a problem that can sometimes be dealt with by applying incentives – and Volvo's got 'em.

Standout deal: We like the V70 station wagon. It's safe, stylish and practical. If you like it, the 2010 version has a $1,000 incentive and 0.9-per-cent financing for five years.