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Yeo Ghim Lay
Fri, Jan 02, 2009
The Straits Times
Discounts and goodie packs

CAR dealers are doing everything they can to pull in more buyers, dishing out freebies and slashing prices by thousands of dollars.

However, it looks as if consumers are not biting at the moment, with showrooms still quiet in recent weeks, said dealers.

Peugeot is offering discounts of $3,000 as well as "goodie packs" which include an iPod, iPod connectivity and solar film, said a spokesman.

But sales have continued to be slow, he added.

Prices of bigger models at Honda agent Kah Motor have also been cut in the wake of a drop in Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices for bigger cars two weeks ago.

"We're offering a $500 discount for buyers who take out loans of more than $50,000," said product manager Vincent Ng.

Bigger models now cost $3,000 to $4,000 less than previously, he added, but sales remain sluggish.

Customers will also receive solar film for their windows with each purchase, on top of other car accessory packages tailored for each model, said Mr Ng.

Nissan agent Tan Chong has also slashed prices by up to $8,000, said Mr Ron Lim, the general manager for sales and marketing.

Despite the lower prices and bundles of freebies, customers have not returned to showrooms, according to dealers.

They added that it does not help that many Singaporeans are overseas this month or are busy preparing for the reopening of school this Friday.

"Sales of our bigger models have picked up slightly but they aren't fantastic. People are still very cautious.

"There may be some pick-up before Chinese New Year but it won't be like in previous years," said Mr Lim.

ghimlay@sph.com.sg



This article was first published in The Straits Times on Dec 31, 2008.


For more The Straits Times stories, click here.


 

 
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