In the automobile industry, retail dealers buy their vehicles directly from the manufacturer at the new car invoice price, then they resell them to the public at higher prices, which are usually around the sticker price. For this reason, car shoppers should know the new car invoice prices to help them negotiate better deals. It is safe to say that most people will attest to the fact that this number is quite secretive. Only a select few know what the real dealer’s cost is on a new vehicle. We all know that most dealerships quote different prices for the same vehicle but most of us do not know why. To begin with, every dealer pays the same amount to the manufacturer for the same vehicle. The numbers change with the added charges and fees that are tacked on to each dealer, like delivery fees and transportation charges, all of which increase the invoice price. However, it makes no difference where a dealer is located because those delivery and transportation fees are the same across the board. Another added cost to brand new cars is the interest charges on the loans that the dealer obtains directly from the manufacturer.
It is quite easy to do the math, meaning if a car sells quickly then there are minimal interest charges. However, if the car sits on the lot for an extended time, its costs add up. These loans are known as floorplans and in addition to these, there are also other fees known as holdback. After the vehicle is sold, the holdback fees are rebated back to the dealer by the manufacturer. Dealer advertising is another charge that is tacked onto the invoice, whether these are direct advertising campaigns from the dealer or from a regional organization of dealers. Now that all that is said and done, you have to figure out how to buy a new car below the invoice price. To be a smart consumer means to take advantage of situations that arise, such as slow car sales. Manufacturers do not appreciate a huge inventory sitting idle on a lot because it means a reduction of orders. So the manufacturers usually step in to provide incentives in order to push more sales. These incentives come in a variety of ways, such as rebates, interest free loans, reduced lease rates and other deals under this umbrella. New car dealers can only have these special sales when the manufacturer steps in. Therefore, a consumer cannot expect to purchase below the invoice price if incentives are not in place. They are expected at some time throughout each year, and they have expiration dates. When one ends, a new program may begin in order to do away with the old and bring in the new.