Month’s best new vehicle savings led by Japanese nameplates
Mazda Motor Corp.’s CX-9 sport-utility vehicle, which sells at an average of 19 percent off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), tops the list of best savings on new vehicles in March, according to TrueCar, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUE), the negotiation-free car buying and selling mobile marketplace.
March has had the highest average new vehicle sales volume of any month over the past five years. The month marks the fiscal year close for Japan-based automakers and kicks off spring sales events that provide savings for consumers. Historically, the month’s final day has been the best opportunity to get the largest discount.
“Given that Japanese automakers want to hit annual sales targets as they close out their business year, consumers should expect to find excellent savings, even in the hot midsize utility segment,” said John Krafcik, president of TrueCar. “The push by Japanese brands spills over to the rest of the industry, which wants to grab the attention of in-market consumers, driving up overall sales volume.”
Published monthly, the “TrueSavings” report analyzes recent transaction prices and identifies opportunities for consumer savings. A snapshot of some of the best savings (compared to MSRP) on new vehicles in March 2015 includes:
| Year/Make/Model/Trim | Segment | MSRP | Market Average | $ Savings /% Savings | Est. Monthly Payment* | City / Hwy / Comb MPG |
| 2015 Mazda CX-9 Sport 2WD | Large Utility | $30,865 | $25,044 | $5,821/ 18.9% | $360 | 17/24/20.2 |
| 2015 Ram 1500, Sport Reg. Cab, 4×2 Std. Bed | Large Pickup Truck | $36,650 | $31,418 | $5,232/ 14.3% | $452 | 15/22/18.2 |
| 2015 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD SL | Midsize Utility | $38,635 | $34,432 | $4,203/ 10.9% | $495 | 19/26/22.3 |
| 2015 Toyota Venza LE 4-Cyl FWD | Midsize Utility | $29,950 | $26,678 | $3,272/ 10.9% | $383 | 20/26/22.9 |
| 2015 Toyota Prius Two | Small Car | $25,025 | $22,369 | $2,656/ 10.6% | $322 | 51/48/49.3 |
*Estimated monthly payments are based on a 3% APR for 60 months with 20% down on the current market average price, and excludes sales tax and other fees and charges that may vary by region or state. These examples are for informational purposes only, and are not offers to lend. See dealer/lender for details, including actual available offers.
