The Auto Writer

You know that it is getting close to the end of the year when the catchy Hyundai Holidays tune gets some air time. That upbeat musical score, which is actually a contemporary version of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Cordovan Remix) by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, is the back drop for what Hyundai is pitching: generous year end savings.

Last week, I began to hear the familiar seasonal beat and realized that Hyundai was among the first automakers pushing their traditional year end clearances. Now through January 4, 2010 – the last day for 2009 sales to be tallied – you can expect to find that every major manufacturer will be getting into the clearance game with some launching their programs this week while others will wait until the first week of December.

Clearance Sampler

Whether all of that translates into significant savings is a matter of debate, therefore if you are planning to buy a new car over the coming weeks, make sure that the seasonal pitch is substantive. In any event, the following is a sample of some of the year end clearance programs already being touted:

Hyundai Holidays – If you like the Sonata sedan, there are two ways you can save. For starters, the 2009 model was the last one before the all new 2010 Sonata was released. To help move the previous generation sedan Hyundai is offering $3000 cash back. For the 2010 sedan the offer is zero percent financing for sixty months and absolutely no payments for the first ninety days. One more model is in the mix: you can get up to $2500 in savings on the 2009 Santa Fe.

General Motors – With just four brands left to pitch things should be a bit more manageable for GM, right? Well, there is still the matter of selling off remaining Saturn and Pontiac stock as well as drawing down excess 2009 inventory. There are various “red tag” events in the works, but the big deal from GM is its “Winter Savings” program offering zero percent financing for 72 months on select models.

BMW Joy Sales Event – Financing your bimmer through BMW Financial Services has some benefits for car shoppers. Whether you’re buying or leasing select 2009 or 2010 models, you can receive a $2500 finance credit ($1500 in some cases). Yes, that credit applies to the 2009 3 Series, but not to the 335d; other restrictions may apply. Essentially, the BMW plan reduces your amount financed accordingly and is applied directly to the contract.

Happy Honda Days – They’re baaaack! Those annoying, but unforgettable seasonal jingles from Honda can bring out your inner scrooge. But, if you’re able to look past the annoyances, some very real savings await you on the other side. And for Honda any kind of deal is a bonus as specials from this particular automaker are hard to come buy. Deals involve cut rate financing, as low as 1.9% for 36 months on the Element with lease deals offered too.

Mercedes-Benz Winter Event – For Mercedes shoppers its all about special lease or financing deals on a wide variety of 2009 and 2010 models. Lease your 2010 S550 4Matic sedan for just $1399 per month. At the other end of the spectrum a 2010 C300 sports sedan can be leased for just $349 per month or you can take 1.9% financing for 24 or 36 months.

Ford – Its the Wish List Event for Lincoln and Mercury while the Ford Year End Sales Event uses a different name for essentially the same program. In any case, shoppers can get zero percent financing on the 2010 Mercury Mariner or take the $2000 cash rebate. While the Ford Fusion has been a hot seller, its Mercury Milan twin has not which means that buyers can get zero percent financing for thirty six months plus get $1000 cash back. If you don’t need the financing, Mercury bumps that offer up to $1500 cash back on the Milan (hybrid not included).

Seasonal Deals

A number of other manufacturers have specials going on right now including Mitsubishi, Suzuki, and Volkswagen. Most other deals end on November 30th, therefore expect final year end clearances to kick in on December 1st.

Lastly, my article On Black Friday, Car Discounts Rule! offers some insight into the way dealers work on that day. Regardless of manufacturer offerings, your local new car retailer may offer the best deal on a new car the day immediately following Thanksgiving.

Photo Credit: Mike Johnson