Download - TrueTrends By TrueCar January 2010

January15th, 2009

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Automotive intelligence covering new car prices, best car deals and more.

The Truth Will Prevail

During the last month, TrueCar acquired actual sales transaction data for more than 43% of all new vehicles sold within the United States. We continue to work to grow this number aggressively. As of December 2009, this represents more than 442,000 vehicles sold nationally and 4.8 million year-to-date.

TrueCar is insatiable about data with our goal to find 100% of all purchase transactions, even if that means finding the same transaction multiple times from multiple sources within the car-buying ecosystem.

We obtain our data directly from car dealers, respected dealer management system (DMS) providers, and well-known data aggregators within the automotive space. We also acquire vehicle configuration data, customer and dealer incentives data, financing and loan data, vehicle registration an insurance data, and much, much more.

TrueCar believes the greater our informational accuracy, the greater benefit we provide to both dealers and consumers.

Score

TrueCar Price Flex Score

1

Least Flexible 2009 Models

ModelMake

Tahoe

Yukon

Escalade

G-Series

CR-V

GMC

Chevrolet

Cadillac

Infiniti

Honda

7-Series

Torrent

BMW

Pontiac

FitHonda

X5-Series

1-Series

BMW

BMW

14

12

15

19

22

30

32

32

34

34

97

97

91

90

89

85

84

84

79

77

Score

Most Flexible 2009 Models

ModelMake

H3

MX-5 Miata

Viper

New Beetle

Eos

Mazda

HUMMER

Dodge

Volkswagen

Volkswagen

Eclipse

Aveo

Mitsubishi

Chevrolet

RoutanVolkswagen

XLR

S2000

Cadillac

Honda

What is the TrueCar Price Flex Score?

The TrueCar Price Score measures the elasticity of trans-action price by model. The Price Flex Score calculation dynamically incorporates the factors that effect price variance including the model’s transaction price range, current inventory and sales data. A vehicle experiencing extremely low inventory and a small range of transaction prices will have a low Price Flex Score. Don’t expect much of a discount from the TrueCar average transaction price on a vehicle with a low Price Flex Score. If a vehicle has a high Price Flex Score, however, you have the potential to strike

a deal significantly below (or above, if you’re not careful!) the TrueCar average transaction price. Here are the 2009 and 2010 models with the highest and the lowest Price Flex Scores. We also show the models with the highest and lowest Price Flex Score within each vehicle category. The scores range from 1 to 100. A score of 1 corresponds to the lowest Price Flex Score and indicates a very small -if any- negotiation power. A score of 100 indicates the highest Price Flex Score, meaning there is a big range of transaction prices for that model.

Score

Least Flexible 2010 Models

ModelMake

Enclave

Yukon

Navigator

Escalade

Tahoe

GMC

Buick

Lincoln

Cadillac

Chevrolet

Sequoia

Q7

Toyota

Audi

AcadiaGMC

CR-V

A6

Honda

Audi

14

10

15

16

16

18

19

21

22

22

90

93

88

86

85

85

84

83

83

81

Score

Most Flexible 2010 Models

ModelMake

PT Cruiser

MX-5 Miata

6

H3

Accent

Mazda

Chrysler

Mazda

HUMMER

Hyundai

Yaris

5

Toyota

Mazda

ElantraHyundai

Lancer

Nitro

Mitsubishi

Dodge

January 15th, 2010 - TrueTrends™ by TrueCar™ - © 2009 TrueCar, Inc.

TrueCar Price Flex Score (continued...)

2

Least and Most Flexible 2009 Vehicles ( by Body Type )

Least Flexible ModelBody Type

BMW 1-Series (Score: 34)

Smart ForTwo (Score: 40)

Chevrolet Avalanche (Score: 37)

Infiniti G-Series (Score: 19)

Chevrolet Tahoe (Score: 12)

Coupe

Convertible

Pickup

Sedan

Sport Utility

Kia Sedona (Score: 42)

Most Flexible Model

Mazda MX-5 Miata (Score: 97)

Pontiac G6 (Score: 62)

Honda Ridgeline (Score: 71)

Chevrolet Aveo (Score: 84)

Hummer H3 (Score: 97)

Volkswagen Routan (Score: 84)Van

This largest incentives list totals both available consumer and dealer incentives. The incentives are ranked by largest percent discount off MSRP. Generally, incentives are active throughout the month in which TrueTrends by TrueCar is released. Though active at the time of the reports’ release, incentives are subject to change without notice. Check for updates on the TrueCar price report for each model and with your dealer.

Least and Most Flexible 2010 Vehicles ( by Body Type )

Least Flexible ModelBody Type

BMW 1 - Series (Score: 31)

Audi A5 (Score: 27)

Chevrolet Colorado (Score: 29)

Audi A6 (Score: 22)

Buick Enclave (Score: 10)

Coupe

Convertible

Pickup

Sedan

Sport Utility

Honda Odyssey (Score: 31)

Most Flexible Model

Mazda MX-5 Miata (Score: 90)

Honda Civic (Score: 78)

Nissan Titan (Score: 78)

Mazda 6 (Score: 88)

Chrysler PT Cruiser (Score: 93)

Mazda 5 (Score: 84)Van

Largest Total Incentives for January

Top Models

1

Make / ModelRank % Discount From MSRP

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 27%

2009 Pontiac G3 27%

2009 Pontiac Vibe 24%

2010 Toyota Tundra 2WD Truck 23%

2009 Pontiac G5

$ Incentives

$6,000

$4,000

$4,000

$5,500

$4,000

MSRP

$22,420

$15,055

$16,735

$24,105

$17,700

2

3

4

5 23%


Greatest Discounts

3

1

Make

Top 2009 Makes Top 2010 Makes

Top 2009 Models Top 2010 Models

Rank % Below MSRP

HUMMER 28%

Dodge 24%

Saturn 20%

Hyundai 16%

Kia

2

3

4

5 16%

1

MakeRank % Below MSRP

Ford 12%

Chrysler 11%

Lincoln 10%

Jeep 10%

Volvo

2

3

4

5 9%

1

Make / ModelRank % Below MSRP

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 27%

2009 Kia Sorento 23%

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt 20%

2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 17%

2009 Chevrolet Corvette

2

3

4

5 17%

1

Make / ModelRank

Ford RangerFord Ranger 17%

Jeep Grand Cherokee 16%

Toyota Tundra 2WD Truck 13%

Ford Edge 13%

Ford Focus

2

3

4

5 12%

% Below MSRP


Top 2009 Makes

% B

ELO

W M

SRP

5%

10%

15%

20%

30%

25%

HummerDodgeSaturnHyundaiKia

September October November December

How Do I Use This?

The greatest percent below MSRP helps identify the biggest consumer discounts of the month. Below, TrueCar ranks 2009 and 2010 vehicles with average transaction prices that comprise the greatest percent off the make or model’s average MSRP.

Greatest Discounts (continued...)

Top 2009 Models ( by Body Type ) Top 2010 Models ( by Body Type )

4

ModelBody Type% Below MSRP

Dodge Ram 1500 27%

Kia Sorento 23%

Chevrolet Cobalt 20%

Chevrolet Impala 16%

Kia Sedona

Sport Utility

Pickup

Coupe

Sedan

Van 11%

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 9%

Nissan Cube 5%

Convertible

Wagon

ModelBody Type% Below MSRP

Jeep Grand Cherokee 17%

Ford Ranger 17%

Ford Edge 13%

Volvo C70 12%

Volvo XC70

Pickup

Sport Utility

Sedan

Convertible

Wagon 12%

Chrysler Town & Country 11%

Toyota Yaris 10%

Van

Coupe

Best Day of the Month to Buy a Car


Consumer Tip of the Month

Our projections for the best and worst day to buy a new vehicle are rooted in an analysis of historical sales as well as short term forecasts. Our projections, over the next 31 days, suggest that the best day to buy a car will be on February 1st, in time for Valentine’s Day. The worst day to buy a car will likely be on February 9th.

PRO

JEC

TED

AVE

RA

GE

DIS

CO

UN

T

4.5%

5.0%

5.5%

6.0%

6.5%

7.0%

Best Day to Buy a VehicleFebruary 1st, 2010Average Discount: 6.62%

Worst Day to Buy a VehicleFebruary 9th, 2010Average Discount: 5.42%

1/17/10 1/21/10 1/25/10 1/29/10 2/02/10 2/06/10 2/10/10 2/14/10

Feb 1, 2010

Feb 9, 2010

Top Vehicles ( by Body Type )

Top Vehicles (overall)

Greatest Price Drop Month Over Month

1

Year / Make / Model / TrimRank $ Drop From Last Month

2010 Ford F-150 4WD SuperCrew 145" XL -$1,404

2009 Pontiac G6 4dr Sedan w/1SV -$1,376

2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan 4dr x AWD -$605

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4dr Sedan Luxury 3.5L 4MATIC AWD -$564

2010 Volvo XC60 AWD 4dr 3.2L w/Moonroof

2

3

4

5 -$561

Year / Make / Model / TrimBody Type $ Drop From Last Month

2010 Volvo XC60 AWD 4dr 3.2L w/Moonroof -$561

2010 Ford F-150 4WD SuperCrew 145" XL -$1,404

2009 Pontiac G6 4dr Sedan w/1SV -$1,376

2010 Dodge Challenger 2dr Coupe R/T Classic -$288

2010 Lexus IS 250C 2dr Conv Man

Pickup

Sport Utility

Sedan

Coupe

Convertible -$122

2010 Toyota Sienna 5dr 7-Pass Van XLE FWD -$215

2010 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen 4dr DSG TDI -$273

Mini-van

Wagon

5

For each body type, TrueCar tracks the average transaction price for each trim and lists vehicles with the greatest drop in price month over month. TrueCar also ranks the trims with the overall greatest drop in price from December 11th, 2009 to January 19th, 2010.


2009 Vehicles: Shortest Days in Inventory 2009 Vehicles: Longest Days in Inventory

1

Make / ModelRank Days in Inventory

Acura MDX 27

Infiniti G37 47

Toyota Venza 49

GMC Yukon XL Denali 50

Chevy Suburban K1500

2

3

4

5 52

Nissan Cube 63

Hyundai Santa Fe 64

Chevrolet Tahoe 64

Chevy Silverado 2500 HD

6

7

8

9 67

Kia Borrego10 69

1


Saab 9-3 358

Acura TL 264

Volkswagen CC 238

Chevrolet Corvette 238

Chevrolet Impala

2

3

4

5 237

Chevrolet Aveo 5 237

Chrysler 300 233

Chevrolet Cobalt 231

Chevrolet HHR

6

7

8

9 229

Saturn Aura10 229

Shortest to Longest ( by Body Type )Industry Wide Average Days to Turn for December: 49 Days

Shortest and Longest Days in Inventory 1

9


Wagon 25

Sport Utility 27

Coupe 29

Hatchback 32

Pickup

2

3

4

5 32

Convertible 336

Van 35

Pickup

7

8 36

Sedan 36

2010 Vehicles: Shortest Days in Inventory 2010 Vehicles: Longest Days in Inventory

1


Lexus GX 460 5

Hyundai Tucson 6

Acura MDX 7

Toyota Venza 9

Nissan Cube

2

3

4

5 10

Chevy Suburban K1500 10

Toyota 4Runner 11

Lexus LS 460 L 11

Mercedes-Benz GL550

6

7

8

9 11

BMW X310 11

1


Kia Forte 72

Hyundai Sonata 71

Chevrolet Malibu 71

Honda Insight 66

Ford Mustang

2

3

4

5 65

Jaguar XF 65

Volvo C70 64

Mazda 3 60

Lincoln MKZ

6

7

8

9 59

Dodge Grand Caravan10 58

December’s Shortest and Longest Days in Inventory

TrueCar ranks the vehicles that spend, on average, the shortest and longest days on the lot before they sell. We rank both by overall shortest/longest days in inventory as well as by category. Vehicles that spend little time in inventory are in high demand, while vehicles that spend an extended time in inventory are in low demand.

6January 15th, 2010 - TrueTrends™ by TrueCar™ - © 2009 TrueCar, Inc.

Percent Industry Share of Model Year Vehicles

Model Year Share shows the percentage share of 2009 model year vehicles sold within the last month versus vehicles of any other model year sold. Gen-erally, the higher the model year share value, the higher the discount a consumer can expect to receive on that given model. It also reflects that dealers are more likely to cut deals on a 2009 model in order to make room for a 2010.

Model Year Share

Highest Percentage of 2009 Vehicles Sold

7

Lowest Percentage of 2009 Vehicles Sold

Make / ModelRank % of Sales

1 Toyota Corolla 0.09%

Ford Fusion 0.09%

Toyota Sienna 0.12%

Toyota Prius 0.12%

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2

3

4

5 0.28%

Mazda 3 0.34%

Chevrolet Equinox 0.36%

BMW 5 Series 0.47%

Honda Pilot

6

7

8

9 0.60%0.63%

1

Make / ModelRank

Volkswagen Rabbit

Volvo S60

Chevrolet Aveo

Mazda MX-5 Miata

GMC Sierra 2500HD

2

3

4

5

Kia Sportage

Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

Cadillac DTS

GMC Yukon XL

6

7

8

9GMC Sierra 150010

% of Sales

99.6%

97.8%

97.2%

96.5%

96.1%

96.0%

94.4%

93.7%

93.2%92.9%10 Toyota Matrix


76%2010 Vehicles

24%2009 Vehicles

Between 2009 and 2010 vehicles, 2010 shares 76% of total sales.

January 15th, 2010 - TrueTrends™ by TrueCar™ - © 2009 TrueCar, Inc. 8

Appendix

About Us

TrueCar (www.truecar.com) is the authority in new-car pricing. It aggregates multiple data sources to show car buyers and dealers how much people actually paid for a particular car in their geographic area. It is offered online, free of charge - so anyone can know at any time what is considered a good or great price. Consumers no longer walk into the dealership only partially informed and fully suspicious: they walk in knowing exactly the price of a fair deal. Dealers gain real-time, unbiased information about

Contact Us

TrueCar, Inc.225 Santa Monica Blvd, 6th FloorSanta Monica, CA 90401(800) [email protected]

Visit us at www.truecar.com

marketplace pricing, helping them know how to price their cars to sell more and gain market share from other dealers. Led by a highly experienced team from the automotive and technology industries, TrueCar is based in Santa Monica, California.

Disclaimer

This report and the information contained herein is for your noncommercial, personal use on an “as-is, as available” basis and may be used by you for informational purposes only. TrueCar makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information contained in this report and the results of the use of such information, including but not limited to implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. The information contained in this report may

include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Neither TrueCar nor any of its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, or their respective partners, officers, directors, employees, or agents shall be held liable for any damages, whether direct, incidental, indirect, special, or consequential, including without limitation lost revenues or lost profits, arising from or in connection with your use or reliance on the information presented in this report.

Download - TrueTrends By TrueCar January 2010

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