The pricing pendulum swings both ways though.
As gasoline prices continue to drop, automakers are increasing incentives on alternative fuel vehicles – hybrids and pure EVs. Ford’s Focus Electric hatchback, which sells at an average of 16% off MSRP, leads January’s list of best savings on new vehicles, according to a web buying service. Discounts are generally in the -10% range.
Toyota’s Prius, the world’s best-selling hybrid for more than a decade, also makes January’s list of best savings. Customers who purchase a Prius Two model this month can save 10% off the hybrid car’s $25,025 MSRP.
“Fuel savings are not top of mind to many consumers right now, and that makes this a great time to buy a hybrid or electric vehicle,” said John Krafcik, president of TrueCar, the source of the data.
“Gasoline prices and vehicle type preferences are strongly related, and this relationship is cyclical in nature,” said Krafcik. “Fuel is relatively inexpensive right now, but when the pendulum swings the other way it will make future alternative fuel vehicles more appealing.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
