Ducati dealers expected to gain from financing offer
OEM offering to pay first 6 months on some bikes
Ducati dealers in the U.S. are providing consumers with more reasons to buy new 2012 units thanks to a retail financing promotion launched by Ducati North America and retail financing partner FreedomRoad Financial.
The program includes a variety of new 2011 and 2012 models, all with enticing financing offers prior to the arrival of 2013 models.
“We want to provide dealers with the tools they need to target specific models in anticipation of the arrivals for the 2013 model year. We are also fueling the momentum we have enjoyed over these past couple of years. We have been actively promoting specific programs and promotions throughout the year and these programs are a continuation of that activity,” said Tim Collins, public relations manager for Ducati North America, Inc.
Collins said the launch has been well received by dealers, but “more importantly, the retail results show that they are being utilized and achieving the intended result.”
One of the more enticing offers is $0 down, with Ducati picking up the first six months of payments with the purchase of a new 2012 848EVO or 2012 848EVO Corse. The $0 down option is available only to for Tier I applicants with approved credit. An APR of 4.99 percent and no down payment offers are available to qualified applicants only.
For example, a 2012 848EVO with a purchase price of $13,995, $0 down payment, an 84-month repayment term and 4.99 APR results in monthly payments of $197.73. Ducati would pay the first six payments.
Other financing offers include: 1.99 percent APR financing for 60 months on new 2012 1199 Panigale and 1199 Panigale S models without ABS; 0.99 percent APR financing for 60 months or $1,200 in-store credit toward the purchase of Ducati Apparel or Ducati Performance Accessories with purchase of a new 2012 Multistrada 1200 S Touring model; and 2.99 percent APR financing for 60 months with the purchase of a new 2012 Streetfighter 848.
What’s the biggest benefit to dealers that the program provides?
“The ability to move through the previous model year while maximizing profit, maintaining the premium brand image and acquiring new customers,” Collins said. “Although the program just began, it is working very well.”
Tom Collins, executive vice president and managing director of FreedomRoad Financial, said the end-of-year program for Ducati should help both companies finish 2012 strong.
“Ducati’s had a great year, their best year ever. We’re having our best year ever,” Tom Collins said. “We were looking for a way to keep the momentum going. We’ve gotten a lot of positive response from dealers. It’s doing what we wanted it to do, which is keep the gas on. With the seasonality of this business, it’s always tough competing against Santa Claus.”
But consumers ideally will consider this an early gift.
