|
|
Automakers boost vehicle sales incentives; Discounts, financing deals become 'part of pricing strategy'.(News)(Column)
- Article from:
-
Automotive News Europe
- Article date:
-
September 19, 2005
- Author:
-
|
Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2005 Crain Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Byline: Alex Ricciuti
Automakers in Europe's largest markets boosted new-car sales incentives 10 percent to about [euro]1,100 a car last year, a new study shows.
The cash discounts, free options or low-rate financing packages on new vehicles have shifted from a sales promotion tactic to part of automakers' pricing strategy, said Marc Bouvier, director of PromoCAR.
PromoCAR, a division of London-based market research company TNS, conducted the study of six major markets: Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Bouvier believes incentives have become an industry standard.
"It's clear now that [incentives] are a norm when you buy a car," he ...