Now that sales of new cars and trucks are slowing down, automakers and their dealers are starting to lop thousands of dollars off sticker prices — sometimes slashing the final cost by a third — a sales tactic<br />that helps consumers but has led to industry troubles in the past.<br />Such discounting helped push the industry into crisis, and G. M.<br />Mr. Lutz’s franchise is offering a gray 2017 Dodge Challenger coupe for $27,900 — $6,680 under its list price — thanks to an incentive program<br />that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ran last month allowing dealers to discount the price on certain models by up to 20 percent.<br />Bomnin Chevrolet in Miami is selling a white 2017 Colorado pickup truck for $16,481 — $7,594 below its sticker price —<br />and a 2017 Trax compact crossover for just $14,000, a discount of $7,700.<br />Or they give dealers discounts tied to aggressive sales targets, a practice<br />that sometimes results in very little profit for dealers while preserving the manufacturer’s margins<br />As the industry rebounded over the last seven years, automakers had been careful<br />to limit pure cash discounts and try more subtle ways of offering deals.<br />Luxury brands are also cutting prices but tend to offer smaller cash discounts and limit them to certain slow-selling models.<br />Discounted Cars Benefit Buyers, but May Spell Trouble for Industry -<br />Big cash discounts are making a comeback in the car business.<br />The trucks, S. U.V.s and other roomy vehicles that Americans favor these days are also being offered at bargain prices.
