Out with the old and in with the new
Automakers offer deals to clear out this year’s models and make room for new ones
Why do automakers put on Black Friday sales, anyway? Do they really expect you to buy someone a car as a gift for the holidays? No, probably not. But this time of year happens to coincide with model year changeover time for quite a few automakers, which makes it a happy convenience that Black Friday gives them an excuse to apply deep discounts and get the 2016s off the lots to make room for shiny new inventory. And sometimes, if you dig deeper, you might find deals on 2017 models as well.
And if that means a few people happen to spread some holiday cheer by picking up a set of wheels and a gigantic bow, so much the better.
Here are some of this year’s best Black Friday deals on cars. These descriptions are overviews; visit the websites of the respective automakers to review the specifics and fine print.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles For FCA and its subbrands — Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat — Black Friday is one of the biggest retail events of the year. Smaller sales have been ongoing all month, but the biggest incentives started on Nov. 21 and run until Nov. 26: over $1,500,000 in additional discounts have been added to a maximum of $25,000 each, plus every customer gets an extra $500 cash discount and 0-per-cent financing is available on select models. One lucky customer will even win a new vehicle worth up to $40,000.
Entering is a two-stage process: first go to blackfridaygiveaway.ca to get a PIN code, then take that code to a dealership before Nov. 26 to spin a wheel to earn your additional discounts.
General Motors Three of GM’s marques — Chevrolet, GMC and Buick — have had a Black Friday sale going for most of the month offering 20 per cent off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. This equates to cash credits ranging from up to $3,059 on a 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT subcompact hatchback with air conditioning and an automatic transmission (based on an MSRP of $15,295), all the way to as much as $16,647 on a 2016 GMC Sierra Denali HD pickup (based on an MSRP of $83,235). These sales run until Nov. 30.
Nissan Nissan’s Black Friday sale runs from Nov. 23 to 30. While offers vary slightly across the country, there are a few highlights you can count on finding at your local dealership.
á Apurchase of a 2016 Micra SR subcompact hatchback with an automatic transmission can receive up to a $3,055 discount from an MSRP starting at $15,988.
á Buying a 2016 Murano Platinum mid-size SUV can get you up to a $3,355 discount from an MSRP starting at $44,248.
á A 2016 Pathfinder SL three-row SUV purchase can net up to a $7,355 discount from an MSRP starting at $41,398.
á Grab yourself a Titan XD Platinum Diesel pickup and you can receive up to a $15,000 discount from an MSRP starting at $74,900.
If there’s a model you’re eyeing that’s not listed here, there’s a good chance it’s on sale as well. Check with your local dealer for specifics and exact pricing.
Volvo Volvo is taking a slightly different approach: its event is not so much a Black Friday sale as a goodwill holiday event, something they’re calling their Thoughtful Test Drive campaign.
For every test drive taken from Nov. 7 until Dec. 31, Volvo will make a donation to your local United Way or Centraide charity with a goal of donating a total of $100,000. In addition, those who complete a test drive can save up to $4,000 on select 2017 Volvo models and earn up to 100,000 Aeroplan miles on their final purchase.
Ford Ford of Canada’s Black Friday “Easy to get into a Ford” offers start on Nov. 17 and runs until Nov. 28. (These dates are slightly different in Quebec; check with your local Ford dealer for details.) Shoppers can save up to $3,500 on a 2016 Focus compact sedan or hatchback or Fusion midsize sedan, or on the 2017 Escape compact SUV and up to $8,000 on most 2016 F-Series pickup trucks.
Hyundai For its Black Friday event running from Nov. 18 to 28, Hyundai is offering a $750 discount on all models of its redesigned 2017 Elantra compact sedan on top of any existing discounts. The Elantra LE, for example, comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning and Bluetooth, will be available for $49 per week on a 36-month lease with zero down payment, 0-per-cent financing and with the additional $750 off.