New car supply is improving and this means for the first time in years brands are offering sharp deals that could save you thousands if you know where to look.
And the end of the financial year has big brands keen to shift stock.
After years of short supply and minimal discounting, dealers are again sharpening their pencils as stock levels on many popular models start to creep back up.
Intense competition at the budget end of the market – in part due to newcomer brands from China – is adding to the fight for buyers.
The easing of supply shortages on many models has also helped fuel an environment where retail deals are creeping back in.
Toyota is one of the few brands that has not offering new car deals this EOFY. Pic by Thomas Wielecki.
Of course, some popular models – including many Toyotas – are still in short supply. The number one selling brand has no offers on its website, although individual dealers are shaving money off some in-stock models.
Beware, though, some brands now list cars at standard prices under website headings such as “offers”. In many instances there’s no mention of whether there’s any discount applied, which makes it trickier to establish whether there are actually any savings.
HATCHBACKS
The Kia Picanto that is one of the few circa-$20K new cars on the market has some modest deals on the GT-Line, which offers more gear than those entry level models. At $21,390 for an auto it’s a convincing city runabout.
The rival MG3 Core is now cheaper, from $19,490 – plus you get … wait for it … a bottle of wine.
Kia has modest deals on a new Picanto small hatchback.
Stepping up in size, the Kia Cerato currently has savings of a few grand, something matched by the Hyundai i30 with which it shares much of its mechanical package.
Skoda is offering seven years of complimentary servicing and roadside assistance as a tempter for its Scala, effectively amounting to savings of thousands.
The Skoda Scala has seven years of free servicing that will save owners thousands over the life of the car. Pic by Mark Bean
There are also deals on the Skoda Fabia, with the Monte Carlo edition around $3000 off at $38,990.
SMALL SUVS
Small SUVs are hot property, but go searching and there are savings to be had. The GWM-Haval Jolion has $1000 discounts until the end of the financial year.
Haval is giving $1000 cashback on its Jolion SUV. Picture: Mark Bean
Ford is offering its Puma ST-Line for $35,000 drive-away, about $2000 off. The Skoda Kamiq and Karoq come with seven years of free servicing, again potentially providing thousands in longer term savings.
Ford is shaving about $2000 off the Puma ST-Line.
Grab a Kia Stonic Sport for a couple of grand off, too.
The Nissan Qashqai has sharp financing rates and includes three free services, although it’s the ST-L at about $46,500 that is mostly in dealer stocks.
Those wanting some European flair can get five years of servicing thrown into the deal with a Peugeot 2008. There’s also $500 worth of accessories, which cover a vast range, from a luggage net to a bike rack.
Or you can check out a Volkswagen T-Cross from $33,490 or the larger T-Roc from $39,990, each a modest saving off the RRP.
FAMILY SUVS
Many big brands are struggling for stock, but there are some Mazda CX-5s that dealers could offer deals on; shop around because it will depend on each dealer’s stock levels.
The larger CX-9 is also in run-out so there are some discounts floating around ahead of the arrival of the more expensive CX-90 replacement.
Customers can save thousands on a new Hyundai Santa Fe if they finance through Hyundai.
There are also circa-$2000 savings on the Hyundai Santa Fe and the manufacturer is also contributing $2500 when you finance the car through their branded lender.
There are also savings of a few grand on the Kia Sorento, with the $68,990 GT-Line diesel packing plenty in.
There’s no haggling in Honda dealerships due to the fixed price sales model, but the brand has knocked $2000 off limited edition versions of the CR-V.
If you want to tow or adventure the $65,990 Isuzu MU-X LS-T auto represents sharp pricing.
Jeep is offering bonuses across many models, with the Grand Cherokee saving buyers up to $6000.
Jeep has the biggest discounts on the market. Picture: Thomas Wielecki
The biggest SUV discounts are from luxury brands, although they can vary from dealer to dealer.
One national offering from Volvo cuts $5000 from an XC60.
UTES
Changes to the generous instant asset write-off mean being able to deduct a vehicle up to about $65,000 end on June 30, with the new financial year capping the limit to $20,000.
Chinese brands such as LDV have some of the best ute deals.
Any eligible businesses wanting to take advantage of the outgoing scheme will need to take delivery of a new vehicle by June 30. For many ute shoppers that means forgoing brands such as Toyota and Ford due to stock shortages. But Mazda is one with stock of its BT-50, which shares its underpinnings with the Isuzu D-Max.
GWM has drive-away deals for ABN holders.
The D-Max also has some decent deals, including the top-of-the-line X-Terrain for $64,990.
Many ute deals apply only to ABN holders, although some brands with stock should still be prepared to haggle if you’re a private buyer. And GWM has sharpened its already sharp deals, knocking about $6500 off the entry-level dual-cab 4×4, now $35,990. The rival LDV T60 is offering circa-$2000 discounts.
EVs
Electric vehicles have been in short supply but there are now some decent discounts – even with Teslas.
There are likely to be deals on the Nissan Leaf.
In a rare move from the brand that dominates EV sales, Tesla is offering some models for way under the normal price. While it doesn’t apply to the most affordable rear-drive models, Performance variants of the Model 3 and Model Y are discounted up to $8000; check the “view inventory” tab on the website. One of the cheapest EVs on the market – the MG ZS EV – is now even cheaper, with $3000 discounts on regular and just arrived Long Range models. That makes it a little as $41,990, with many states able to keep another few grand in your pocket with rebates.
Rival Polestar is also offering $3000 off its 2 as well as the choice of an installed charger or $2000 worth of public charging.
The Nissan Leaf is proving a tough sell so dealers with stock will likely be ready to consider discounts on the only battery electric vehicle capable of powering your house.