Friday, October 03, 2008
Toyota Puts Pedal to the Marketing Metal with 0% Financing
byAmidst the credit-crunch rollercoaster, Toyota is going all out nationally with a 0% financing incentive on 11 models. A spokesperson said they have the inventory and capacity through Toyota’s own financial services division for this huge financing and leasing push. 
The announcement comes on the heels of the auto manufacturer’s huge sales decline last month of 30% compared to a year ago, the largest drop for Toyota since 1987.
The aggressive move also is rolling out at a time when consumers are hearing about and experiencing first-hand how much credit standards have tightened.
Toyota intends to use this big-news offer to drive showroom traffic, increase sales, and make customers aware that credit is still available – a message running contrary to what people are hearing in the news these days, and one analysts expect will actually help bolster Toyota sales.
Amidst the financial institutions’ PR messaging of safety and soundness sweeping the web and mailboxes right now, Toyota is now entering the mix with it’s own tune of “We’ve got money to lend.”
And for many consumers, that message will be music to their ears.
