Incentive offers are drawing close to 0% interest.
By Times Staff Writer
Published August 23, 2006
Incentives aren't what they used to be. Shoppers for new cars ranked fuel economy - not incentives - as the most important consideration, closely followed by reliability. So says the latest survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center of 526 adults 18 and older who are considering a new vehicle purchase in the next 24 months.
What most motivates new-car shoppers? The survey found:
- 27 percent say fuel economy is the No. 1 consideration.
- 25 percent say reliability.
- 14 percent say purchase price.
- 12 percent say safety features.
- Only 5 percent say incentives - an overused and often confusing marketing tool - are the most important factor in their purchase decision.
"Manufacturers have used incentives so frequently that shoppers are beginning to look beyond rebates," said Rob Gentile, director of Consumer Reports Auto Price Service.
