In midst of automakers’ battle of incentives, it’s a great time to buy a truck

Updated Sep 29, 2013
The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is putting pressure on Ford whose own 2014 models don’t go into production until late October/early November. the result? Incentives.The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is putting pressure on Ford whose own 2014 models don’t go into production until late October/early November. the result? Incentives.

If you’re in the market for a new truck—whether it be a fresh 2014 redesign or a great deal on a 2013 model—consider the proverbial iron hot.

According to a recent report from Automotive News, without a 2014 F-150 on lots yet, Ford is battling the exciting new model year trucks from GM and Ram with big incentives. But! GM and Ram are offering incentives of their own.

The redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra went on sale this summer and Ram introduced the newest 1500 late last year. Since then, the Silverado has been named the top pick of Consumer Reports (with the Ram 1500 coming in a very close second), and the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel has generated mountains of buzz.

Ford won’t begin manufacturing its 2014 F-150 models until late October or early November and a redesigned 2015 model isn’t expected until the second half of next year.

So, in order to defend the 39.4-percent chunk of the full-size pickup market Ford owns, Automotive News reports that the automaker has already begun offering higher incentives to move 2013 models.

“We don’t start building the 2014 F-150s until the end of October or early November. As a consequence we’re selling ’13s while the other guy’s selling ’14s,” Doug Scott, Ford’s truck marketing manager, told Automotive News. â€śThat gives somewhat of an advantage because incentives are going to be higher on ’13s than on ’14s.”

Some dealers have reported up to $12,000 in incentives from Ford on 2013 F150s.

However, despite having newer models, GM and Ram are still battling Ford on incentives as well. In fact, in August Chevrolet and Ram spent more on incentives per truck than Ford. Those incentives are especially there for those interested in snagging one of the few 2013 Silverados and Sierras left.

Incentives are even higher in Texas where one out of ever six trucks in the U.S. are sold. Mitchell Dale, the owner of McRee Ford in Dickinson, Texas, told Automotive News that his dealership has seen the highest F-series incentives of the past year in the last 60 days.

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“You’ve got over $9,000 if you take all the discount packages and special bonus packages on the XLT,” Dale said. “Both Chevrolet and Ford are advertising $9,000. It’s a good time to buy no matter what the brand.”