No better time to buy

AUSTRALIAN new-vehicle sales are down 5.3 per cent so far this year and stocks remain low for many brands amid the knock-on effects of Japan’s devastating March earthquake.

But that has not stopped many car companies offering some of the most attractive end-of-financial-year deals ever seen in this country, before the industry turns over a new leaf with the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne on July 1.

Toyota

Toyota was worst hit by the Japanese production disruption, with sales plummeting more than 38 per cent in May to remain 15.8 per cent down so far in 2011, but its Australian operations returned to normal production last week.

Now, pre-May production versions of the locally built Camry Hybrid can be had for $34,990 driveaway (normally $36,990 plus ORCs), while the Camry Touring special-edition is being offered for $30,990 driveaway (previously $30,990 plus on-road costs).

Similarly, the Australian-made Aurion Touring special-edition can now be had for $33,990 (normally $$35,990 plus ORCs), while Toyota is also offering factory bonuses that vary from dealer to dealer across its Yaris and Corolla ranges.

Also effective from June 2 and available until July 31, the entry-level HiLux 4x2 Workmate single-cab chassis petrol manual is offered to both private and business buyers with a tray and air-conditioning for just $21,990 driveaway (normally $18,490 plus air, tray and ORCs).

Holden

Announced on the same day, Holden’s national ‘Hard working deals’ campaign is headlined by the Commodore SV6 manual sedan ($36,990 driveaway – normally $42,790 plus ORCs), but also includes the Berlina International sedan ($36,990 driveaway – previously $37,990 plus ORCs) and the Berlina International Sportwagon ($38,990 driveaway – previously $39,990 plus ORCs).

Also available to both private and business buyers until June 30 is the 2010-plated Barina Spark CD with metallic paint for $13,990 driveaway (normally $12,490 plus metallic and ORCs), and the Barina five-door manual with ABS and alloy wheels for $14,490 driveaway (normally $16,290 plus ABS, alloys and ORCs).

Holden’s homegrown Cruze II CD 1.8 manual sedan can also be had for the next three weeks for $21,990 driveaway (normally $20,990 plus ORCs), while savings of at least $4000 apply across the Epica range, which currently opens with the 2.5 CDX petrol at just $23,990 driveaway (normally $28,490 plus ORCs).

The Series II Captiva 5 2WD manual now costs $28,990 driveaway (normally $27,990 plus ORCs), while the SV6 Ute is now on offer at $32,990 driveaway (normally $38,490 plus ORCs) and the soon-to-be-replaced Colorado can be had with attractive factory bonuses.

Ford

Over at Ford, the XR6 auto sedan is on sale at $34,990 driveaway, with $2000 cash-back for ABN holders (normally $43,990 plus ORCs), while 50th Anniversary versions of the XR6 can be had for $36,950 (manual) and $37,950 (auto), with Turbo versions costing $45,950 driveaway (manual) and $47,950 driveaway (auto).

From top: Ford Falcon XR6, Holden Commodore Berlina International, Skoda Octavia 90TSI, Mitsubishi ASX, Honda Jazz.

Similarly, along with the Territory TS Limited Edition ($41,990 driveaway), Ford’s G6 50th Anniversary now costs $34,950 driveaway (previously $36,950 driveaway), while the 50th G6E costs $47,950 driveaway and the 50th G6E Turbo costs $54,950 driveaway.

Falcon Ute buyers do not miss out, with the XR6 on offer at just $32,990 driveaway (normally $39,190 plus ORCs) and an extended five-year 200,000km warranty for most ute (and all Transit van) buyers, among a host of other retail incentives for Falcon ute customers.

The Ranger ute is now in runout ahead of its all-new Australian-engineered replacement, with the range-topping Wildtrak Crew Cab 4x4 manual available at $42,990 driveaway (normally $49,390 plus ORCs) leading a range of Ranger discounts.

At the moment the Fiesta 1.6 LX manual hatch costs $19,890 driveaway (normally $18,990 plus ORCs), while the 1.6 TDCi LX manual hatch is $20,490 driveaway (normally $21,490 plus ORCs).

Ford’s Focus is in runout ahead of the all-new model in August and Zetec manual hatch versions can now be had for $24,990 driveaway (normally $26,490 plus ORCs). Similarly, the Focus LX auto now costs $22,990 driveaway in some states and the XR5 Turbo costs $33,990 driveaway in some states.

Honda

Hot deals are also being offered by most importers, with Honda’s facelifted 2012 Jazz 1.3 GLi manual now costing $16,990 driveaway (normally $16,990 plus ORCs) and the Civic 1.8 VTi Limited Edition manual sedan costing $22,990 driveaway (normally $24,990 driveaway).

Honda’s Insight hybrid is now on offer for $98 per week over 60 months with an $8382.25 deposit and $10,058.50 residual at 8.8 per cent interest, while similar finance deals are available for the Accord Euro and 2010 Accord.

The base Odyssey now costs $41,990 driveaway (normally $39,100 plus ORCs), while the Odyssey Luxury costs $48,990 driveaway (normally $45,920 plus ORCs) and the CR-V Limited Edition costs $31,490 (manual) and includes roof racks, a rear DVD player and side steps valued at $2500.

Skoda

The Skoda Octavia 90TSI manual liftback’s normal $24,990 plus ORCs price is now a rive-away price, as is the wagon version’s $26,990 pricetag.

Fiat

Fiat’s Ducato van is more than $4000 cheaper at base level (now $39,990 driveaway, while Mercedes-Benz is offering $5000 cash-back for its superseded Euro 4 range and the facelifted 110CDI SWB van at $38,990 driveaway (normally $7,990 plus ORCs).

Jaguar

Luxury brands are no strangers to end-of-financial-year incentives either, with Jaguar continuing to require zero interest and no repayments for two years on XF, XK and XJ models through Jaguar Financial Services.

BMW

BMW’s 118i auto hatch with Executive Pack now costs $39,900 driveaway (normally $42,900 plus ORCs), while the 120i Convertible price is $58,900 driveaway ($55,955 plus ORCs) and the 320i sedan with Exclusive Innovations Package costs $59,800 driveaway (normally $60,200 plus ORCs).

BMW is also offering a range of finance deals across the 3 Series and soon-to-be-replaced 1 Series hatch ranges.

Audi

Audi is offering factory fitted options to the value of $4000 at no extra charge for all A3, A4, A5 and TT models until June 30, plus a host of incentives for the A6 before it is replaced in July.

Lexus

Lexus’ ‘The End of On-Road Costs’ sale eliminates registration, GTP insurance and stamp duty (but not dealer delivery) fees for all IS250, IS250C and RX models purchased in June and delivered by August.

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo’s 159 2.4 JTD Ti auto now costs $62,990 driveaway (instead of plus ORCs), while attractive finance deals exist for private buyers of the 159 1750 TBi Ti manual and MiTo 1.4T TCT.

Nissan

Of the Japanese volume brands, Nissan is extending specials across the Micra range (driveaway pricing for an extra $1000), while the Tiida ST manual hatch and sedan costs $17,990 driveaway (instead of plus ORCs) and 2010 Dualis 2.0 ST 2WD models cost $25,990 driveaway (normally $24,990 plus ORCs).

The Maxima 2.5 ST-L auto can now be had for $32,990 driveaway (normally $33,990 plus ORCs), and while all X-Trail AWD models are offered with free on-road costs and 4.9 per cent finance, the X-Trail 2.0 ST 2WD manual can be had for $27,990 driveaway and 4.9 per cent finance (normally $28,490 plus ORCs).

Murano buyers will also save, with 2010 versions of the ST now priced at $45,990 driveaway (normally $46,490 plus ORCs) and the Ti costing $57,990 driveaway (normally $57,890 plus ORCs).

The Pathfinder ST-L diesel manual is even better value at $52,990 driveaway (normally $56,490 plus ORCs), while Patrol buyers score a range of transaction price cuts and free extras depending on the state they live in.

Among a host of Navara ute incentives, the Series 4 D22 2/5 DX 4x2 cab-chassis manual now costs ABN holders $20,590 driveaway with a free tray (normally $23,690 plus ORCs and tray).

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is also offering big discounts to Triton buyers in various states, while the Colt 1.5 VRX now costs $15,990 driveaway (normally $16,490 plus ORCs) at some dealers and the Lancer 2.0 SX manual sedan and hatch cost $20,990 driveaway (normally $22,490 plus ORCs).

Mitsubishi SUV deals include the ASX 2.0 2WD manual at $26,990 driveaway (normally $25,990 plus ORCs), the Outlander 2.4 ACTiV limited-edition, Pajero Platinum limited-edition and entry-level Challenger at $39,990 driveaway at selected dealers (normally $41,490 plus ORCs).

Hyundai

For the month of June, Hyundai’s outgoing Elantra sedan is available with free on-road costs, while the Getz can be driven away for $1000 less than the usual list price and five-door versions are also available at three-door prices in most states.

The i20 1.4 three-door Active manual now costs $15,990 driveaway (normally $15,490 plus ORCs), while discounts across the i30 hatch and wagon range include a $18,990 driveaway price (normally $19,390 plus ORCs) for the base 1.6 SX manual hatch.

The i45 2.0 Active manual sedan, meanwhile, can be had with an automatic transmission for $29,490 driveaway (normally $31,090 plus ORCs) while driveaway prices across the iLoad range are $1000 lower than the normal list price.

Subaru

Subaru’s XV Mizuno special-edition continues at $29,990 driveaway (manual), while the Impreza 2.0 R manual is offered with free alloys and Bluetooth for $23,990 driveaway and the Outback 2.5i manual costs $38,990 driveaway (normally $38,490 plus ORCs).

Finance deals are available for the Forester X manual, which can be had for $32,990 driveaway (normally $30,990 plus ORCs), while Subaru is offering on-road costs and locally fitted sat-nav on the Liberty 2.5i for an extra $4000.

Mazda

Most Mazda models are also being discounted, including the Mazda2 Neo manual hatch ($16,490 driveaway – normally $15,790 plus ORCs and Mazda2 Maxx manual hatch ($19,750 driveaway – normally $17,690 plus ORCs).

The Mazda3 Neo hatch and sedan manual can be had this month for $21,990 driveaway (normally $21,330 plus ORCs), while 2010-plated versions of the Mazda6 Classic auto sedan, hatch and wagon can be had for a driveaway price just $240 higher than the normal list price.

Mazda’s CX-7 Classic 2WD now costs $36,990 driveaway (normally $33,990 plus ORCs), while the host of BT-50 run-out incentives is led by the 4x2 Cab Chassis DX manual with alloy tray for $21,990 driveaway (normally $25,618 plus ORCs and tray).

Kia

List prices for most of Kia’s Cerato sedan and Rondo7 people-mover ranges have now become driveaway prices, while the Grand Carnival 3.5 S auto now costs $38,990 driveaway (normally $38,990 plus ORCs) and the Soul 1.6 manual now costs $19,990 driveaway (normally $20,990 plus ORCs).

Similarly, a range of Rio discounts is led by the 1.4 S manual hatch at $13,490 driveaway (normally $14,990 plus ORCs, while the Sorento 2.4 S1 auto costs $35,990 driveaway (normally $36,490) and the 2.0 Si Sportage’s driveaway price is now $1000 higher than its list price.

Citroen

Citroen has announced finance deals across its C5 and C4 hatch and people-mover ranges, while the run-out C4 1.6 VTi auto is also available for $22,990 driveaway (normally $28,990 plus ORCs), the C4 Grand Picasso can now be had for $35,990 driveaway (normally $39,990 plus ORCs) and the C5 2.0 HDi Comfort auto sedan now costs $41,990 driveaway (normally $46,990 plus ORCs).

The French brand’s Berlingo 1.6 diesel manual is available with a side door to private buyers in June for $23,990 driveaway (normally $25,490 plus ORCs.

Volkswagen

Likewise, VW’s June commercials specials include the Transporter 103TDI manual SWB for $37,990 driveaway (normally $37,990 plus ORCs), with ABN holders saving a further $2000, while the Caddy 1.2 TSI manual now costs $21,990 driveaway.

Golf hatch and wagon (but not GTD or R) buyers this month receive free on-road costs, with the 1.2 TSI five-door manual priced at $22,490 driveaway with metallic paint (normally $21,990 plus ORCs and metallic).

Volvo

Volvo, meantime, is offering $3000 rebates to C30 and XC60 buyers, $4000 rebates to C70, S40 and V50 buyers and massive $10,000 rebates for S80 buyers in June.

Renault

Over at Renault, June deals include 1.9 per cent finance for the Clio Sport Cup, Sport Cup Trophee and Gordini models, while petrol and diesel versions of the new Latitude sedan cost $40,990 driveaway (normally $36,990 plus on-road costs).

Renault’s Megane CC now costs $52,990 driveaway with metallic paint and leather (normally $45,990 plus ORCs, leather and metallic), while the Megane 2.0 Dynamique manual hatch costs $25,990 driveaway (normally $22,990 plus ORCs).

On top of 3.9 per cent finance across the range, Renault commercial deals include free sat-nav with the Kangoo 1.5 dCi manual for $25,990 driveaway (normally $24,990 plus ORCs and nav and metallic).

Peugeot

End-of-financial-year deals from Peugeot, which is also offering handsome finance packages, include the 207 1.4 XR five-door manual hatch at $19,990 driveaway and the 207 1.6 XR five-door auto hatch at $23,490 driveaway, while Sportium versions of the 207 and 308 are priced at a respective $24,990 and $31,990.

The 308CC 1.6 manual now costs $47,990 driveaway (normally $47,490 plus ORCs), while the 3008 1.6 XSE auto now costs $39,990 driveaway (normally $39,990 plus ORCs).

Peugeot is also offering free extras and finance for its Partner van, and free on-road costs with its Expert commercial range.

Land Rover and SsangYong

Land Rover’s ‘The Main Event’ campaign is offering various financial incentives for all models during June, while SsangYong is throwing in on-road costs for its Actyon, Kyron, Rexton and Stavic this month.

Isuzu

Not to be outdone, Isuzu’s D-Max SX Crew Cab 4x2 auto is being offered to ABN holders for $32,990 driveaway (normally $33,700 plus ORCs), in addition to the flagship X-Runner special-edition, which can now be driven away for the previous $37,490 (4x2 manual) and $42,990 (4x4 manual) list prices.

Suzuki

Demo versions of Suzuki’s Alto 1.0 GL can be had for $11,990 driveaway (normally $11,790 plus ORCs), while all Altos continue to be available with a free Indie pack including Bluetooth and exterior component protectors.

Also at Suzuki, the base Grand Vitara 2.4 three-door manual now costs $24,990 driveaway (normally $25,990 plus ORCs), while other Grand Vitara variants can be had at least with free on-road costs and the APV van now costs $17,990 driveaway (normally $18,990 plus ORCs).

Meantime, the Swift 1.4 GA manual now costs $16,990 driveaway (normally $15,990 plus ORCs), while the superseded 1.6 Sport manual can be driven away for $23,990. All SX4 models can be driven away for $500 more than the official list price, while demo versions of the Kizashi 2.4 Touring and Prestige can be had on the road for list prices.

Jeep

Jeep’s 70th Anniversary limited-editions continue, including the Patriot Limited CVT with $2500 of free extras, the Cherokee Limited with $2500 of free extras, the Grand Cherokee Limited with $3500 of free extras and the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Sport with $4500 of free extras.

Dodge

Sister company Dodge is offering the 2010 Journey 2.7 SXT auto with free on-road costs, while Chrysler’s ‘Statement Made’ campaign comprises the 300C Hemi sedan at $49,990 (normally $45,990 plus ORCs) and the 300C SRT8 at $65,990 driveaway with a sunroof (normally $64,990 plus ORCs and sunroof).

FPV

As we reported last week, selected FPV dealers are offering manual and auto versions of the F6 sedan at $59,990 driveaway (normally $67,890 plus ORCs) until June 30.

Mini

Mini’s latest ‘Ray’ manual special-edition also continues on sale at $28,990 driveaway (normally $25,990 plus ORCs), while Chery has extended its $1000 cash-back offer for the J1 manual hatch, effectively reducing its price to just $10,990 driveaway.