Overhaulin'

What happens to leftover 2008 models that aren't sold?

They have to go somewhere when the dealers advertise the new 2009 models. They only have so much lot space. Tent sales? Rental car centers? Auctions?

Public Comments

1. They go on sale. It's usually the best time to buy.
2. They keep them, get rid of as much as possible, any way possible. auctions, sales... stuff like that
3. The dealers hang on to them until the eventually sell them. I once saw a "new" 3-year old Odyssey mini-van at a Honda dealer.
4. They sit on the lot, get marked down until they sell. I purchased a 2004 model in late 2005 right before the 2006 models were being introduced. Got a fantastic deal, btw. And now that the car is almost 5 years old (according to the model year) I've got incredibly low miles and a high resale value.
5. We keep them till we sale them. Sometimes we put them into demo service. Once into service they write the price down so they can sale it for less. Most of the time a good dealership will not have many leftover units. We sold out last 2008 model in April.
6. They stay on the lot until someone buys them. Typically there are great deals on previous model year vehicles. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes dealers have vehicles (2007 as an example) that are 2 years old and are still "new". New meaning the vehicle has never been titled to anyone.