- Staff
- #1
- 56,365
- 24,054
Japan Inc. using deals, incentives to keep hard-fought lease customers from defecting
Toyota, Honda and Nissan are counting on new lease programs to keep customers from straying because of the lack of selection of popular models in the aftermath of the March earthquake.
American Honda Motor Co. told dealers last week to offer to extend customers' leases by up to six months on most models. Honda also will offer $500 cash to lease customers who move into new leases.
Honda's campaign, marketed as the Honda Promise Program, also will give customers a rain check on current incentives if they commit to a model that is unavailable. Customers would be able to lock in existing incentives in July that can be used through October, as the vehicles become available.
"Most of the push is geared toward lease customers," said a Honda dealer who asked not to be named. "They do not want to lose them. They are too valuable and too hard to get back."
Toyota, Honda and Nissan are counting on new lease programs to keep customers from straying because of the lack of selection of popular models in the aftermath of the March earthquake.
American Honda Motor Co. told dealers last week to offer to extend customers' leases by up to six months on most models. Honda also will offer $500 cash to lease customers who move into new leases.
Honda's campaign, marketed as the Honda Promise Program, also will give customers a rain check on current incentives if they commit to a model that is unavailable. Customers would be able to lock in existing incentives in July that can be used through October, as the vehicles become available.
"Most of the push is geared toward lease customers," said a Honda dealer who asked not to be named. "They do not want to lose them. They are too valuable and too hard to get back."