WHY does Ford/Lincoln play these loyalty games? Potential buyer must own a 1998 or newer Ford to receive the extra $3K rebate. I don't think I'd be picky about whom I extended this extra cash offer to when gas is $3.90. Sell them as fast as you can and concentrate on what America is (and will continue) to buy, economical vehicles. It seems like he head honchos at these auto companies let their ego's get in the way of the hard, dire facts facing this industry today. Times have changed drastically and one must deal with it as fast as they can.

 

Rebates on 08's with A plan are up to $9,000.00 in Michigan, does anyone think they will go any higher?

 

they have to sell them, try to get some of the money back out of em....otherwise the trucks will just sit on the lots when the new 09s are realesed

 

they're playing the public basically. it's a good strategy in more than one way.

1. the obvious, it keeps people coming back
2. buyers of other brands see it and think, hey, ford cares about its customers and tries to keep them.
3. if they had to give it to anyone, it would likely end up being a 2000 dollar discount or whatever; this way it works kind of like a mail in rebate; allows the manufacturer to advertise a lower price than it normally would be able to, because not everyone will qualify for that low price.

 

One of the reasons that manufacturers will offer "Loyalty" money to their customers is to continue to "Buy" that loyalty. The fact is that there is very little switching going on...IE...a Ford owner buying a Bowtie...etc...so it's a way to help the dealers move excess inventory. As the days supply gets greater...the incentives will go up...as it decreases...the incentives will go down.

In the early 80s when incentives became common...either financing or rebates...VW tried adjusting their prices down and eliminating rebates. Their sales plummeted...they raised prices...brought back incentives...their sales went back up. The fact is...people want the incentives...it gives them the impression that they are getting a deal!!!

 

I agree with the loyalty plan, but why limit it to '98 or newer. If I purchased a new FORD truck back in '88...and am now ready for a trade in...I should be considered in the "loyalty" plan. IMO...that part of it...is just wrong!


biz

 

Your not loyal enough

 

Take your '88 down there and tell the dealer it'll cost him $5k on a trade. 3K loyalty and 2K in value. You'll get it.

Tim

 

I went to my local dealer a few weeks ago to look at a 06 they had, the salesman told me I missed the loyalty thing by 2 days. Is it still going on? But this was the same sales who tried to sell my dad a 500hp 4.8l mustang, which was actually a basic v6...