: In many cases, the "free" car was actually a two-year lease where the down payment and monthly installments were covered by the manufacturer incentives that would have otherwise been used to discount the primary vehicle. Why Dealers Ran BOGO Deals in 2017
: It allowed dealers to move two pieces of "stagnant metal"—often a sedan and a large SUV—off the lot simultaneously. buy one car get one free 2017
While compelling, BOGO deals often relied on "free" being more attractive than the actual math. For most buyers, a direct cash discount or 0% APR financing on a single vehicle—common in November and December 2017 —offered better long-term value than owning two vehicles and paying the associated double taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. : In many cases, the "free" car was
: Even if the second car was free, it created a new customer relationship for service plans, extended warranties, and future trade-ins. Consumer Reality Check For most buyers, a direct cash discount or
True "buy one get one free" deals on vehicles are rarely a simple giveaway of two equal assets. Historically, these promotions followed a specific pattern:
By late 2017, dealer incentives reached record highs, averaging over $4,300 per vehicle. The BOGO strategy served several industry purposes:
: Giving away small, fuel-efficient cars helped manufacturers offset the environmental impact of their high-emission SUVs in official sales figures.