Now that sales of new cars and trucks are slowing down, automakers and their dealers are starting to lop thousands of dollars off sticker prices — sometimes slashing the final cost by a third — a sales tactic that helps consumers but has led to industry troubles in the past.
Take the Nissan Altima, one of the country’s top-selling cars. Dealers around the country are now offering the midsize sedan for $6,000 to $8,000 below list prices. In Stafford, Va., Leckner Nissan has marked down all 59 Altimas in stock, including a black 2017 Altima SV now selling for $21,593 — $7,195 below its sticker price.
Similar price cuts are being offered on the Hyundai Sonata, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Ford Fusion and many other models.