Summer madness is here. Car companies from Kia Canada to General Motors of Canada are rolling out aggressive sales sweeteners just about the time Canadians start heading out for vacation.
The idea, of course, is to keep showroom traffic moving at a time when most of us are thinking about boating, golfing, barbequing and loafing - but not spending money on a new ride.
Kia's promotion is called the Summer Sale event. It's all about moving leftover 2010 models from dealer lots.
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"The core of this clear-out program includes 0.0 per cent financing on all 2010 models, no payments until the fall, plus cash savings up to $7,000," says Kia.
Last week, GM of Canada and Ford of Canada once again revisited what has become the annual "employee pricing" promotion. Basically, that means buyers pay dealer invoice for a long list of new Ford, Lincoln and GM products.
As my Globe colleague Greg Keenan reports, "The employee pricing program, which has been offered by GM and other auto makers in Canada in past incentive wars, will be offered until Aug. 31, and GM will be joined by Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd."
Interestingly, Chrysler Canada has not yet fired up an employee pricing program, but it's only July. Instead, Chrysler remains quite aggressive with cash incentives.
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The key for interested buyers willing to take time out from cottage life is to watch closely the comings and goings of the various summer sales events. Here's a look at four deals that represent some of the summer madness happening out there. As usual, pricing information has been provided by carcostcanada.com.
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2010 Dodge Charger SXT AWD
- MSRP: $35,945
- Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $1,500
- Dealer discount (estimated): $1,100
- Factory discount: $4,250 (Factory to dealer rebate)
- Taxable subtotal: $32,095
- Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $36,267.35
- Factory discount: $1,500 (Cash for Clunkers)
- Government discount: $300 (retire your ride)
- Final price: $34,467.35
2010 Buick Enclave CX AWD
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- MSRP: $42,134 (employee pricing)
- Freight, dealer prep: $1,450
- Dealer discount (estimated): $0
- Factory discount: $2,000 (Trading Dollars factory-to-dealer discount on cash purchases only)
- Taxable subtotal: $41,584
- Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $46,989.82
- Factory discount: $1,500 (Cash for Clunkers)
- Government discount: $300 (Retire Your Ride)
- Factory discount: $1,500 (GM Owner Loyalty)
- Final price: $43,689.92
2010 Jeep Commander Sport
- MSRP: $43,495
- Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,400
- Dealer discount (estimated): $1,000
- Factory discount: $6,750 (Dealer Cash non-stackable factory-to-dealer rebate)
- Taxable subtotal: $37,145
- Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $41,973.85
- Factory discount: $1,500 (Cash for Clunkers)
- Government discount: $300 (Retire Your Ride)
- Final price: $40,173.85
2010 Jeep Wrangler Sport
- MSRP: $20,505
- Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,500
- Dealer discount (estimated): $500
- Factory discount: $1,500 (Consumer Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)
- Taxable subtotal: $20,005
- Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $22,605.65
- Factory discount: $500 (Cash for Clunkers)
- Government discount: $300 (Retire Your Ride)
- Final price: $21,805.65
Pricing information source: carcostcanada.com. Calculations based on Ontario customers. Please note that while the information above is accurate at the time of publication, incentives are given at the discretion of individual dealers, and may be changed or discontinued at any time. Dealer discounts are negotiated with the customer on a case-by-case basis.
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