SANTA MONICA, Calif. -
When it comes to new vehicles from model-year 2010, the top three brands for heaviest discounts all belong to the Ford family, according to TrueCar.com.
What’s more, the website said in its latest TrueTrends Reports that the top four individual 2010 models for strongest discounts were all from Ford brands, as well.
Looking at the 2010 model-year in more detail, average transaction prices for Ford brand vehicles are showing the greatest discount as compared to their respective original MSRP (14.7 percent). Ford is followed by Lincoln (12.3 percent) and Mercury (11.5 percent).
Hyundai (10 percent) and GMC (9.8 percent) are the Nos. 4 and 5 brands, respectively.
Among specific models in the 2010 class, the Ford Focus (17.3 percent) has the largest discount, with the Ford Ranger (16.8 percent) in second. The Mercury Grand Marquis (14.6 percent) is third and the Lincoln MKX (14.5 percent) was No. 4. Rounding out the list was the Chevrolet Silverado (12.8 percent).
“Even though inventory levels are down, there are still many 2010 models left on dealership lots,” stated Jesse Toprak, TrueCar’s vice president of industry trends and insights. “With a little bit of homework, consumers shopping for a new vehicle can expect to find some exceptional deals right now.”
As far as the 2011 model-year class, Toyota leads the way in discounts (8.3 percent), followed by Mercedes-Benz (8.1 percent), Lincoln (7.9 percent) and BMW (7.7 percent), respectively. Acura rounded out the top five (7.6 percent).
For 2011 vehicles, the Ford Flex was tops for reduction off MSRP (10.5 percent) followed by the Toyota Avalon (10.2 percent). Coming in at No. 3 was the Mercury Grand Marquis (9.4 percent). Fourth was the Lincoln MKZ (9 percent) and fifth was the Ranger (8.8 percent).
Continuing on, TrueCar also looked at price reductions among 15 vehicle segments. The top category for discounting is large trucks, as prices in this segment are being trimmed an average of 10.1 percent. Coming in at No. 2 is the luxury car segment (8 percent), with midsize cars and large cars tied for third, with both averaging discounts of 6.7 percent. Fifth on the list is vans (6.6 percent).
Moving along, the report also listed what it has found to be the best and worst dates in the 31-day time frame between Saturday and Nov. 15 for purchasing a new vehicle.
TrueCar suggested that the day before Halloween will be most ideal day, as discounts are likely to average 7.55 percent on Oct. 30.
Meanwhile, site analysts believe Nov. 15 will be least ideal day, as discounts are only predicted to average 6.07 percent.