Autoblog

NADA adds 'Rough' and 'Average' categories for trade-ins

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-09-07T09:03:00+00:00

It's no secret that the used car market is in a state of flux. As gas prices rise and fall, so does the value of the car currently sitting in your driveway, waiting to be traded in. To help dealerships assign a fair value to your car, the National Automobile Dealers Association has added two new categories for wholesale vehicle market. The new categories are "Rough" and "Average" and they join "Clean Trade-In," "Clean Loan" and "Clean Retail" as options for your ex-vehicle to fall into.

According to NADA, roughly half of all trade-ins will fall into the newly established "Average" category. As you might imagine, "Rough" vehicles have seen a bit more wear and tear than is typical. Then there's the good old "Salvage" bucket for cars which have seen much better days. You won't necessarily know what bucket a dealership is assigning to your particular vehicle as these categories are to be used in the wholesale market only. Still, the dealership is keenly aware that it may need to rid itself of your trade-in and the business-to-business market may be its best bet. In other words, you may be indirectly touched by these new standards.

[Source: NADA]

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2009 Audi A3: Tweaked and priced

Damon Lavrinc — 2008-09-05T16:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchbacks, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi A3

Audi gave up the details on the European-spec A3 earlier this year, but it took until today for it to disclose what changes will carry over to the U.S. model when the 2009 A3 goes on sale later this month.

A cursory inspection of the exterior and specs doesn't reveal much, but dig a little deeper and the revisions become obvious. The fascia has been tweaked with a few cues from the recently revamped A4, including new LED daytime running lamps, and redesigned rollers fill the wheel wells, hiding Audi's optional Magnetic Ride suspension system.

The five-door's powertrain choices remain, with either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four or a 3.2-liter V6, and all-wheel-drive is finally available as an option on the 2.0T model. Previously, Audi's hill-start assist was only available with the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission, but it's now standard on models fitted with the six-speed manual.

Pricing has been set at $26,920 for the front-wheel-drive, six-speed manual model equipped with the 2.0T, while the top of the line 3.2-liter Quattro variant comes in at $36,975.

Gallery: 2009 Audi A3

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First Hyundai Genesis Coupe commercial hits Korea, pricing revealed

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-09-05T15:02:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Videos, Hyundai

Click above to watch the video

Today is the day reservations become available for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe in Korea. To celebrate, Hyundai has released a new commercial which you can watch after the break. Those placing orders now should begin taking possession of their new two-door, rear-wheel drive coupe on September 26. Pricing for the new hotness from Hyundai is very reasonable for the Korean market with a base price of 25,360,000 WON (about U.S. $23,000). Stepping up to the "Stylish Pack" (seriously?) nets you 19-inch rims, a limited slip diff and optional Brembo's for 26,920,000 WON (U.S. $24,500). Well worth it in our estimation. A loaded 3.8-liter V6 Genesis Coupe will go for 33,150,000 WON (U.S. $30,100), which buys you over 300-horsepower and a full leather interior.

Hit the jump for a full rundown of pricing and options for the Coupe in Korea. According to our tipster, the Genesis sedan with the 3.8-liter V6 is selling for about $70K in its home market. This being the case, it's pretty hard to draw any conclusions as to what this means for U.S. Genesis Coupe pricing when it goes on sale sometime in 2009. We can hardly wait. Thanks for the tip, Sam!

[Source: blog.daum.net]

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Volkswagen offering 0% financing on all 2008 models

Chris Shunk — 2008-09-04T08:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Volkswagen

Volkswagen typically shies away from massive rebates, but tough sledding on the sales floor had led the German automaker to take drastic measures. All 2008 models can be had with 0% financing for a limited time, which should help VW dealers clear inventory before the '09 models arrive. The 0% deals vary in duration depending on the model, with most models receiving the special financing for 60 months. You can even get a GTI interest free for five years.

Almost every automaker is breaking the bank with incentives to keep declining sales and increased inventories in check. VW is one of the few automakers that fared fairly well in August sales, so something as drastic as 0% financing is a bit of a surprise. Given that the competition is doing it, though, the German automaker may just be keeping up with the Joneses. Thanks for the tip, Jay!

[Source: Volkswagen]

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GM extends employee pricing for another month, adds most '09 models

John Neff — 2008-09-03T11:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, GM

Sales figures for the month of August aren't out quite yet, but analysts predict they won't be good. Apparently they could have been worse for General Motors if not for the employee pricing deal that began on August 20th. Though scheduled to end yesterday, the employee pricing deal has now been extended through the end of September and most 2009 models have now been included. The original deal extended to all 2008 models and only the 2009 Chevy Cobalt and HHR, Pontiac Vibe and G5 and Cadillac CTS. Dealerships are reporting that employee pricing helped clear out their inventories, especially trucks and SUVs, which were the most heavily discounted. We've already wasted hours perusing this web page that details what each GM vehicle will cost with employee pricing and any other incentives available. Looks like we'll be wasting a few more.

[Source: Reuters]

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Holden begins 99¢/liter fuel incentive for two years

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-09-02T13:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Holden, Australia

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Holden Commodore SS-V

Despite the fact that capping the cost of gas didn't work out so well for Chrysler in the U.S., General Motors' Australian arm, Holden, is launching a new incentive that guarantees gas will be 99¢/liter for two years after your vehicle's original date of purchase. The system works much like the one Chrysler used: buyers get a debit card that they use when filling up their tanks. That debit card will be tied to the purchasers bank account, which will be debited a few days later for the reduced rate, regardless of how much the fuel had actually cost. If all of this sounds a bit confusing, click here for the details from Holden. We've also pasted GM's official press release after the break.

As we mentioned, a similar promotion wasn't too successful for Chrysler. There are a few differences, though. Chrysler's vehicles aren't quite class-competitive while Holden's generally are. There were also more fuel efficient vehicles to choose from in the U.S., thereby making the gas card savings a bit irrelevant. In Australia where the V8 is still king, that's not really the case. Will this new scheme make Holden's V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicles sell quicker? We don't know... but we're positive that a similar deal could go a long way towards putting an Pontiac G8 GT in our own personal garages.

Gallery: Holden VE Commodore SS-V

[Source: Holden, Australian Car Advice]

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Ford, Toyota adopt Netflix technology for bill paying

Chris Shunk — 2008-09-02T12:32:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, Toyota

The long-time comeback for inquiring creditors has always been the once fail-safe "The check is in the mail." That oldie but goodie won't work anymore if you've purchased a new vehicle from Ford or Toyota's credit arm. The two automakers have adopted bar code scan technology that tells each company whether or not your check actually is in the mail. The same technology is used by Netflix to determine when a subscriber has sent back a DVD, which enables the cloud-based DVD rental service to send that customer another DVD before the first actually arrives back.

Though the bar code scan technology can be a hassle for people trying to get credit companies off their backs, it actually helps them, as well. If a payment was lost in the mail or some unforeseen natural disaster like a hurricane puts your check under five feet of water, the credit companies will know and you won't have to pay a late fee. Also, if your check really is in the mail then they won't bother with the annoying phone call all together, as they'll already know it's headed their way.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd, photo by billaday | CC2.0]

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VW and its dealers butting heads over Jetta TDI?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-09-01T16:57:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

We recently received a note from an anonymous source indicating that there's a mildly strained relationship between VW and some of its dealers. The source of the consternation seems to be the highly anticipated Jetta TDI, which was just recently released in the U.S. market. Apparently, Volkswagen of America has gotten complaints that some dealers are adding a significant markup on the new and desirable model -- a big problem for many automakers when a new model makes its initial introduction. The dealers are eager to make some money on the new cars while VW is concerned that customers may just look elsewhere because they feel they're being treated unfairly. What's more, some VW dealers may not be all that excited by the new model as there aren't that many available quite yet.

This is a situation that's frustrating for the dealers, VW and, most importantly, prospective customers. Volkswagen promises that the situation will improve, and we hope it does. If the clean diesel engine is truly capable of returning the kind of fuel mileage that VW says it can, the Jetta TDI sedan and Sportwagen may indeed offer an ideal alternative to gasoline-sipping hybrids, that is, if customers can put up with the buying process.

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2009 Honda Civic Coupe revealed in brochure

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-29T11:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Honda

Click above for gallery of the 2009 Civic Coupe

Just last week we revealed official images and specifications for the updated 2009 Honda Civic in sedan and hybrid body styles. Lest you coupe fans feel left out, we've finally found information on Honda's newish two-door in DX, LX, EX/EX-L and Si levels from a PDF brochure and the brand's U.S. website. As with the sedan, the front and rear of the Civic Coupe see the most change, though it'll take a trained eye to spot the differences out back. The front grille, though, looks more aggressive and sports a new honeycomb pattern, and the lower bumper has been redesigned with new air intakes. We likey. Also of note are the new clear turn signal lenses. On the inside, the available navigation system flips down to reveal a slot-loading CD player and inputs for digital audio cards, whatever those are. There's also a new USB music interface in the center console so you can just plug a flash drive full of tunes into the dash. A 140-hp, 1.8-Liter i-VTEC(R) engine powers the standard coupe and offers up to 36 highway mpg. Honda hasn't released any of this information through its media website, and the consumer website still isn't showing any 2009 Si models, so expect the big H to release more information on its '09 coupes in the coming weeks. In the meantime, take a look through our gallery below to chart all the changes. Thanks for the tip, Ricky!

Gallery: 2009 Honda Civic Coupe

[Source: Honda]

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Russia Report: GM retailer deals with increased demand, limited supply

Damon Lavrinc — 2008-08-29T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, GM

The Genser General Motors dealership in Moscow is in an enviable - if not frustrating - position. The outlet moves between 600 and 900 vehicles each month. But if supply could keep up with demand, the dealer's director of sales, Nataliya Ignatova, insists they could sell around 1,200 vehicles per month during the busiest sales season.

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Ford to meet with dealers about future products, try to close stores

Chris Shunk — 2008-08-27T19:32:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

2008 has been a historically woeful year for the auto market, but Ford dealers have been in the crosshairs of a sales decline for over a decade. That brutal reality, along with financial incentives of up to $700,000 or more from the Blue Oval, has lead to the closure of over 500 dealers since mid-2006, and over 150 so far in 2008. To close still more dealers while giving remaining stores a heads-up of future happenings, Ford is embarking on a series of meetings with Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers. Among the topics of discussion will be future products, product volume and market conditions.

Though Ford isn't stating publicly how many dealerships it wishes to close, the Blue Oval is hoping to have enough departures to make the remaining dealerships healthy. Ford would like to see Ford brand dealers with 1,500 sales per month and Lincoln Mercury dealers with 600 sales per month, which is far higher than what Ford's 3,900 stores are averaging now. To help entice dealers to hang up their plaid sport coats, Ford will be offering cash incentives, but Ford Market Representation Director David Kelleher is hinting that those deals won't last long.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd, Photo by Scott Olson/Getty]

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Cheap, stylish ride: Oxymoron or attainable dream?

Chris Tutor — 2008-08-26T18:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Economy, Humor

Is it possible to buy a car that's both inexpensive and ultra cool? Can a $22,000 Toyota Prius really get you the same respect from the valet as a $70,000 BMW? That's what "Wired Magazine" wants to know, and they're asking readers to decide which of five relatively cheap cars they would feel coolest driving.

So far, the most expensive of the bunch, the Prius, is in third place with only 18% of the vote. Behind it with 11% is an early-'90s Volvo and a 25-year-old Mercedes 300 SDL. In first place, with a big lead over a used Ford Mustang, is a 1995-1997 Jaguar XJ6.

Really? Those are the only choices we get? For the price of that 2005 V6 Mustang, you could get yourself a real tire-smoking, V8-powered 1966 Mustang. Sure it'll need some paint, probably some fresh Bondo and maybe a transmission overhaul, but that builds character in both owner and car.

Or if you're not into power, don't even think about that wheezy Volvo. Go German instead, and get a classic VW Beetle. You'll pay more than what that boxy sedan cost, but the cool factor of the Bug will more than make up for it.

So what say you, Autoblog fans? What cheap transportation would you choose for its cool-boosting properties? Or is "Wired" right on the money?

[Source: Wired Magazine]

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BMW makes 2.1% price increase official

Michael Harley — 2008-08-26T15:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Euro, BMW

BMW made it official today, after we told you about it "unofficially" last week. As expected, the German automaker is raising prices across its model range an average of 2.1 percent for the 2009 model year due to "...significant structural and economic changes in the marketplace." Regardless, the direct price increase of vehicle MSRP doesn't tell the whole story. BMW has also increased pricing on popular options (the Sport Package is up $450 on the 335i sedan and coupe) and removed some standard features (the premium Logic 7 audio system is no longer standard on the 335i -- now it's an $875 option) driving the consumer's cost even higher than it initially appears. If that isn't bad enough news for those hoping to put a Roundel in their driveway, we are also hearing rumors that BMW's latest lease residuals and money factors aren't as sweet as they were over the summer. Check out all the pricing details in BMW's press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

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eBay Find of the Day: Texas dealer's replica BMW 135 tii

Dan Roth — 2008-08-24T14:37:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Concept Cars, Tuners, Auction Action, BMW

Click above for photo gallery

Now that BMW's 1-series has a solid presence on dealer lots, enthusiasts of the Roundel can start with lusty customizations that pay homage to the great BMWs of the past. In the case of this 135, we can say that BMW started it with its Concept tii that made the rounds in late 2007. Classic BMW in Texas plucked a 135i out of its stock for Projekt 1. Many of the "upgrades" that have been applied to the car are largely unneeded cosmetic geegaws like mirror covers and bodykit accents. We're down with the matte stripe job on the hood, and the vaguely described "retrofit front suspension" and performance exhaust system offer some tangible benefits; the exhaust even proves its worth with dyno sheets.

Basically, the exhaust and suspension are the only things on the list worth having, and those would cost about 5 grand, rather than the 12K price inflation this 135 is carrying. While we're sure Projekt 1 is a hoot to drive, we already have a hard time getting behind 1 Series pricing, no matter how brilliant the chassis is. Slapping a bunch of junk on it and bumping the price into the heady $50,000 neighborhood doesn't make it any more attractive. Still, if you want to have the most exclusive 135i on the social climber block, a Buy It Now of $55,372 will make it yours. Thanks for the tip, David!

Gallery: BMW 135 - "Projekt 1"

[Source: eBay]

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BMW bumps its prices for 2009

Chris Shunk — 2008-08-21T16:56:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, BMW

High commodities prices and the unflattering value gap between the Euro and U.S. Dollar are forcing a lot of European automakers to bump their prices here in the States. We told you a few weeks ago that BMW was planning on raising the sticker price on many of its products, and now we're starting to see the extent of the damage. The price changes range from an increase of $600 on a 128i to $1,400 on an M6. The 335i received several MSRP increases, with the sedan going up by $800, the coupe by $1,200, and a raise of $1,300 for the convertible. The 328i sedan, meanwhile, rose $700 to an MSRP of $33,400.

Options also went up in price, as the dual clutch on the M3 has gone up by $200 making it a $2,900 option. The sport package for the 335i sedan and coupe has risen by $450, and some standard equipment like the Logic 7 Sound System has been nixed for 2009. Beginning in October, iPhone integration can also be had for $150. Since $150 is almost the price of the phone, that one smarts just a bit. To see more 2009 BMW pricing (except for the new 7-Series), hit the read link below.

[Source: BMW Blog, photo by rahims | CC 2.0]

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Deal of the Day: Employee Pricing means $10,000 off on 2008 Corvette Z06

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-21T10:32:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, HUMMER, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn

Wow, there are some great deals to be had at the moment from General Motors. Not the least of which is on the Corvette, specifically the Z06 model, which we've had nothing but good things to say about, even at its $72K asking price. Now that GM is offering all of its models at employee prices, that cost drops by about ten grand! A Z06 for $62,653? Yes please... if only our meager blogging budgets would allow it. Similarly, a Caddy XLR-V can be had for $84,771.80 -- about a $15,000 discount.

Need an SUV? May we suggest a Hummer H3 for about $23K? Those in the market for a luxury sedan could certainly do worse than a Cadillac STS-V for $66,640.88 after some $14K in savings. Of course, practical shoppers can take five-grand off their Saturn Aura XR sedan and end up paying just $21,634.28 for the privilege. We're having way too much fun with this and there is plenty of other news we need to cover, so visit this site, find your best deal and leave it in the comments. Update: fixed spelling mistake in the title, thanks guys!

[Sources: Kicking Tires, GM]

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All-new 2009 Honda Fit priced from $14,550

Michael Harley — 2008-08-20T13:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Economy, Hatchbacks, Honda

Click above for our high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Fit Sport

Honda has announced that its all-new 2009 Fit, which we just drove for the first time, will go on sale next week with a MSRP starting at $14,550 (plus $670 destination), while the more premium Honda Fit Sport will start at $16,060 (plus destination). The standard powerplant will be a 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder rated at 117 hp mated to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic (with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Fit Sport). The five-passenger Fit also earned EPA fuel economy ratings of 28/35 (city/highway) with the automatic transmission, and 27/33 with the 5-speed manual or automatic in the Fit Sport. All models feature standard air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio system with four speakers, power windows, power mirrors, and power door locks. The Fit Sport (shown above) adds alloy wheels, aero kit, alarm, keyless entry, and an upgraded audio system. In fact, the top shelf Fit Sport with navigation and a 5-speed automatic starts at $18,760, which makes it one of the greatest bangs for your buck in our book.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Fit Sport

[Source: Honda]

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GM adds 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on certified used vehicles

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-19T19:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Maintenance, GM

Now that leasing seems to be going through a slow phase-out, shoppers looking for a good deal on a newish vehicle may take a harder gander at certified pre-owned models. GM realizes this and has responded by ~~ambushing customers~~ increasing the warranty coverage on the CPO models for all of its brands, minus Cadillac which has its own program. The new warranty stands at 12-months or 12,000 miles and begins when the CPO purchase is made -- an increase of up to nine-months over the previous guarantee. Being a "bumper-to-bumper" warranty, everything excluding wear items like tires and brakes are covered for manufacturing defects. The powertrain warranty remains: five years or 100,000 miles from when it was sold as new.

GM hopes that this increased coverage has a corresponding effect on its CPO sales. What's more, the automaker also believes that this action will have a desirable effect on its vehicle's residual values.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

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Officially Official: Honda unveils updated 2009 Civic

John Neff — 2008-08-19T13:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Honda

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Civic LX-S

Just last weekend we brought you some leaked scans revealing the new face of the 2009 Civic, and today Honda makes it official by revealing all the changes made to its popular small car. As we've already learned, exterior changes include a new front bumper cover that reshapes the bottom curve of the grille and features three prominently placed, more traditional looking air intakes in place of the single large opening on 2008 and prior models. Honda also claimed it messed around with the color combinations of the headlights and taillights, but damned if we could tell. There's also new alloy wheels for the EX, EX-L and Si models, and the latter pocket rocket gets standard fog lamps, as well. The only other exterior change is a new piece of chrome that's been placed above the rear license plate holder. Finally, Honda has added two new trim levels: the LX-S that comes with alloy wheels and sporty trim and DX Value Package that gets standard AC and an unspecified audio system.

2009 Civics will also offer Bluetooth for the first time on models equipped with navigation systems, and the EX, EX-L, Hybrid and Si get a new USB port to plug in digital audio players. Honda has also chosen to make stability control, or what it calls Vehicle Stability Assist, standard on these models only.

We've got Honda's full press release after the jump if you think we're making all this up, and high-res galleries of the new '09 Civic LX-S and Civic Hybrid below.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Civic

Gallery: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

Continue reading Officially Official: Honda unveils updated 2009 Civic

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GM brings back employee pricing to sell remaining 2008 models

Merritt Johnson — 2008-08-19T10:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, HUMMER, Saab, Saturn

It is no secret that the automotive industry is hurting for sales to close out 2008. Over the past few months incentives have been thrown out left and right to draw in more buyers. The deals have not done enough to bring folks into the showroom, though. With all the media talk of bleeding Detroit, consumers know that the domestic manufacturers have been holding out on their best offers. Perhaps the memory of 2005's employee pricing incentives has kept many waiting on the fence. With 2009 models heading to dealerships as we speak, General Motors is hoping to end the stalemate. It will be testing the waters of employee pricing yet again beginning Wednesday, August 20th and running through September 2nd.

The employee discount program will apply across all 8 GM brands. Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers will mark down 91 percent of their inventory on all 2008 models, along with the 2009 Pontiac Vibe and G5, Chevy Cobalt and HHR and, surprisingly, the Cadillac CTS. Chevrolet dealers can unload 90 percent of their 2008 inventory with all 2008 models eligible for the employee price. Cadillac, Saturn, SAAB, Hummer will each have their own stipulations as well, but it is certain that the discount will be widespread. The price reduction varies from vehicle to vehicle, but is typically on order of a few thousand dollars. Additional incentives will also still be offered on some slower selling items, such as, you guessed it, trucks and SUVs. So the question is, will employee pricing get you off the fence and into a dealership?

[Source: GM]

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