The latest Kelley Blue Book Market Report has found that the current overabundance of new 2012 model year pickup trucks on dealer lots is leading to some exceptional purchase opportunities for consumers. In some cases, the combination of generous incentives and zero-percent or near zero-percent financing can create a situation where there’s virtually no difference in monthly payment between what you’ll spend for a new pickup versus what it would cost to acquire its 1-year-old equivalent model.
The accompanying chart shows a selection of pickups from six different manufacturers that represent some of today’s best deals. At the moment, the Ford F-150 XLT Super Crew Cab and Nissan Titan SV Crew Cab offer the highest direct incentives, at $5,500 and $5,450, respectively. However, it’s the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, two full-size pickups from General Motors, which could turn out to be even more attractive in the months ahead.
Both of these 2012 GM models are scheduled to be replaced early next year with redesigned 2014 variants, and production has been ramped up at the assembly plants to compensate for an anticipated 21-week shutdown required to accommodate this transition. That build-out push has led to a triple-digit day’s supply of each and some already sweet zero-percent financing deals that may become even more attractive by year’s end. Right now, the GMC Sierra SLE 1500 Crew Cab carries a $3,500 incentive and its corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Silverado LE 1500 Extended Cab comes with $3,000 in manufacturer money. However, according to the Blue Book Market Report, depending on actual sales during the fourth quarter, those dollar figures may actually rise in December to help dealers clear out remaining inventory. Regardless of what happens, this remains a very good time to be in the market for a new full-size pickup truck.
