GlobeNewswire Inc | Sep 1, 2020 09:01AM EDT

September 01, 2020

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TrueCar, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUE), the most efficient and transparent online destination to find a car, today announced its list of the best deals on new and used vehicle purchases and trade-in values going into Labor Day Weekend.

Understanding vehicle price, payment and trade-in value are core to TrueCars offering and core parts of your overall deal. Whether youre buying a new or used vehicle we wanted to provide car shoppers with some of the best deals on high demand vehicles based on how that deal compares to the prior month. And if youre looking to trade in your next vehicle and apply it toward a new one, we show you the used vehicles that have experienced the greatest increases in market value compared to the prior month.

Labor Day is traditionally one of the best times of year to get a great deal across a variety of models as automakers load up the lot with the new model year and discount the outgoing model, said Nick Woolard, Director OEM Analytics at TrueCar. While this Labor Day will still feature many deals, production pauses early in the pandemic have created supply shortages impacting some vehicle availability, which tends to lower incentive offers on those models. Consumers looking to buy will need to move more quickly and be even savvier this year in order to identify the best opportunities for savings.

This month, we are seeing 8% average savings off MSRP for new vehicles with as much as five to ten thousand dollars off MSRP for certain new vehicles, added Woolard.

Keep in mind that there are many variables that determine payment such as rate, term, credit, down payment and more. Visit TrueCar to find the best deals customized to your specific vehicle configurations and your local area.

Best Labor Day Deals on New Cars and TrucksNavigating the new car incentive landscape is complex for any car buyer and deals also require context. We look at deals across popular models, and at each incentive type offered (cash, lease, finance) and surface the incentive type showing the biggest offer on that model when compared with the prior month. Some vehicles will rarely see a certain incentive type, or will see low incentive offers, so those may be highlighted as well.

While finance deals were king at the beginning of the pandemic in March and April, weve seen automakers pulling back on these types of incentives. If youre set on an APR offer, there are still many good options out there, however were generally seeing higher cash and lease offers on popular models this month.

Kia Optima:Avg. incentive amount: $5,452Featured incentive type: Cash the average cash offer on this vehicle is up 12% from last monthAvg. cash incentive amount: $4,747 Why this model: The average incentive offer on this popular sedan is up 6% from last month and the average incentive across cash, lease and finance represents a 22% average savings off MSRP.

Ford EcoSport:Avg. incentive amount: $5,241Featured incentive type: Cash the average cash offer on this vehicle is up 25% from last monthAvg. cash incentive amount: $5,346Why this model: The average incentive offer on this popular vehicle is up 16% from last month and the average incentive across cash, lease and finance offers represents a 20% savings off MSRP.

Dodge Journey:Avg. incentive amount: $4,902Featured incentive type: Cash the average cash offer on this vehicle is up 2% from last month Avg. cash incentive amount: $4,917Why this model: The average incentive on this model is up 2% from last month which represents an 18% average savings off MSRP.

Cadillac XT4:Avg. incentive amount: $7,486Featured incentive type: Lease the average lease offer on this vehicle is up 6% from last month Avg. lease incentive amount: $10,251Why this model: The average incentive on this model is up 8% from last month which represents a 16% average savings off MSRP.

Ford ExpeditionAvg. incentive amount: $8,205Featured incentive type: Lease the average lease offer on this vehicle is up 8% from last month Avg. lease incentive amount: $14,351Why this model: The average incentive on this model is up 6% from last month which represents a 12% average savings off MSRP.

Full list of best Labor Day Deals featured models:

MoM Avg.Brand and Avg. Increase Avg. Avg. Savings Avg. Avg.Model Segment Incentive in MSRP Transaction off Lease Finance Amount Incentive Price MSRP Payment Payment AmountFord Micro $5,241 16 % $25,849 $21,681 20 % $314 $416EcoSport UtilityChevrolet Midsize $5,817 3 % $41,420 $39,505 14 % $411 $592Blazer UtilityChevrolet Fullsize $7,102 3 % $66,122 $63,751 11 % $805 $885Suburban UtilityCadillac PremXT4 Compact $7,486 8 % $46,915 $42,490 16 % $530 $632 UtilityHyundai Midsize $4,018 9 % $29,846 $27,042 13 % $327 $491SonataFord Fullsize $8,205 6 % $69,744 $64,281 12 % $721 $893Expedition UtilityDodge Midsize $4,902 2 % $27,089 $25,023 18 % $316 $516Journey UtilityFord Compact $4,582 6 % $31,002 $28,506 15 % $369 $455Escape UtilityKia Optima Midsize $5,452 6 % $25,088 $22,264 22 % $284 $461Ford Midsize $4,176 10 % $27,281 $23,866 15 % $321 $437FusionMazda CX-3 Micro $3,322 9 % $22,596 $21,268 15 % $267 $334 UtilityVolkswagen Compact $3,355 7 % $30,879 $29,950 11 % $382 $455Tiguan UtilityHyundai Micro $3,420 7 % $26,236 $23,841 13 % $297 $389Kona Utility

Pricing and savings information is based on transaction data available to TrueCar as of 8/24/2020. Average cash, lease and finance savings are subject to change and individual savings may vary by factors such as location, individual vehicle attributes, dealer, credit approval, credit score, APR, applied residual value, amount financed and term. Average lease and finance payments are may vary based on similar factors as well as down payment. Average finance and lease savings based on an assumed 4.15% APR and ALG residual value benchmarks.

Best Labor Day Deals on Used Cars and TrucksGiven the economic uncertainty and inventory shortages on the new car market, even more consumers are flocking to the used car market. In fact, while new vehicle sales are still projected to be down about 11% when compared to the same time last year, TrueCars forecast has used vehicles sales up 4% year-over-year for August. This month were seeing some of the best deals on alternative fuel and high mpg vehicles.

Our methodology looked at popular used vehicles at a model level and curated those that have experienced significant month-over-month decreases in the list price.

Brand and Model Segment MoM Drop in List PriceChevrolet Bolt EV Electric -5.1 %Nissan LEAF Compact -4.3 %Chevrolet Volt Compact -4.2 %Ford C-Max Compact -3.8 %BMW i3 Prem Electric -3.0 %Chevrolet Spark Microcar -3.0 %Lincoln MKT Prem Midsize Utility -2.8 %Toyota Prius Prime Compact -2.8 %Toyota Prius v Midsize -2.8 %Kia Sedona Minivan -2.7 %Toyota Yaris Subcompact -2.7 %MINI Countryman Subcompact Utility -2.7 %Mitsubishi Mirage Compact -2.6 %Kia Niro Subcompact Utility -2.5 %FIAT 500 Subcompact -2.5 %

Change in list price calculated as a model average of vehicle level price changes for nationwide listings as of 8/15/2020 compared to the prior month. Individual vehicle price changes may vary based on a variety of factors, including location, individual vehicle attributes and dealer.

Best Labor Day Deals on Trade-In Values on Cars and TruckKnowing your trade-in value is a key component of determining the affordability of your next car, as many consumers use their trade-in toward the down payment on their new vehicle, helping bring down their monthly payment.

Below, were highlighting popular used models with the highest increases in list prices from the prior month, demonstrating a lift in demand and value for those models. As youll see below, pickup trucks dominate this months list.

Used vehicles typically lose value or depreciate over time, so a vehicle that depreciates less is a win, continued Woolard. This month several popular used models are actually gaining value compared to the prior month signaling a great time to get top dollar on the trade-in.

Whether youre just curious or youre ready to move forward with a trade-in to put toward your next car, you can use TrueCars Trade experience to find out what your current car is worth. Visit TrueCar.com/trade to input your vehicles condition and receive a cash value on your vehicle.

Brand and Model Segment Avg. List Price Increase MoMJeep Liberty Compact Utility 3.1 %Ram 2500 Fullsize Pickup 0.8 %Ford Super Duty F-250 Fullsize Pickup 0.5 %Nissan Frontier Midsize Pickup 0.5 %Ram 1500 Fullsize Pickup 0.5 %Jeep Wrangler Compact Utility 0.4 %Ford F-150 Fullsize Pickup 0.4 %Jeep Gladiator Midsize Pickup 0.3 %Ford Super Duty F-350 Fullsize Pickup 0.2 %Toyota Tundra Fullsize Pickup 0.2 %

Change in list price calculated as a model average of vehicle level price changes for nationwide listings as of 8/15/2020 compared to the prior month.Individual vehicle list price changes may vary based on a variety of factors, including location, individual vehicle attributes and dealer.Changes in used vehicle list prices are assumed to be correlated with corresponding changes in trade-in value, but this correlation between list prices and trade-in values may not exist for the identified models or may not be experienced to the same degree.

If youre active duty military, veteran or a family member of one, visit TrueCar Military at truecar.com/military for our Military Appreciation Package.

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AboutTrueCarTrueCaris a leading automotive digital marketplace that enables car buyers to connect to our nationwide network of Certified Dealers. We are building the industry's most personalized and efficient car buying experience as we seek to bring more of the purchasing process online. Consumers who visit our marketplace will find a suite of vehicle discovery tools, price ratings and market context on new and used cars all with a clear view of what's a great deal. When they are ready,TrueCarwill enable them to connect with a local Certified Dealer who shares in our belief that truth, transparency and fairness are the foundation of a great car buying experience. As part of our marketplace,TrueCarpowers car-buying programs for over 250 leading brands, includingAARP, Sams Club, andAmerican Express. Nearly half of all new-car buyers engage withTrueCarpowered sites, where they buy smarter and drive happier.TrueCaris headquartered inSanta Monica,California, with offices inAustin, TexasandBoston,Massachusetts.

For more information, please visitwww.truecar.com, and follow us onFacebookor Twitter.TrueCarmedia line: +1-844-469-8442 (US toll-free) Email:pr@truecar.com

TrueCar Contacts: Shadee MalekafzaliSenior Director, Public Relationsshadee@truecar.com424-258-8694