The Recession Starts To Bite

[MeetJohnDoe]

Granted, they are still not a bargain but I noticed for the first time in recent times a zero percent financing offer from a car manufacturer in Thailand...Merc is offering it for 60 months on their E-Class sedans.

I expect the market will get very promotional next year with all companies offering zero or low-cost financing, 1-year insurance, and other goodies. Maybe it will get as good as 10 years ago, after the 1997 crash, when they practically begged people to buy cars

[steelepulse]

Looks like a hefty downpayment is needed to qualify for the 0%, but they do offer pretty low rates on a smaller down.  Too bad these cost 2-3 times as much as they do elsewhere.

[Smithson]

A dealer selling pick ups had a sign offering 1.09% interest. I was driving past and couldn't get the details. I'd be interested to hear ppl's opinions regarding pick up prices/special offers for the coming 12 months.

[JimSiam]

The recession has had its effects on the start of the chain, the worlds biggest steel company Nippon steel has ceased all overtime at its Rayong Coil sheet import plant that supplies sheet steel for car parts and panels. They also only paid part of the workers annual bonus due to hard times.

They are however continuing to build their new plant expected to be complete for once the low in the cycle has passed.

[whatawonderfulday]

Granted, they are still not a bargain but I noticed for the first time in recent times a zero percent financing offer from a car manufacturer in Thailand...Merc is offering it for 60 months on their E-Class sedans.

I expect the market will get very promotional next year with all companies offering zero or low-cost financing, 1-year insurance, and other goodies. Maybe it will get as good as 10 years ago, after the 1997 crash, when they practically begged people to buy cars

Not unusual though. whilst the recession will have some effect, this is mostly due to MB wanting to shift old stock before the new model end of 1Q next year.