Have you ever wondered what happens to the SUVs that don’t get sold at dealerships? You might think they are returned to the manufacturers or sold at a considerable loss, but that’s not always true. 

Thousands of unsold SUVs are sitting on dealership lots nationwide, waiting for buyers who can spot a bargain; they have been produced but have yet to be sold within a certain period. 

They can be brand new or slightly used, depending on how long they have been on the lot. They can also be models that are discontinued, overstocked, or unpopular.

But why should you care about unsold SUVs? 

Because they can save you a lot of money if you know how to find them and negotiate the best deal, dealerships are eager to get rid of unsold cars because they take up space and cost money to maintain. 

They often offer discounts, incentives, and promotions to attract buyers and clear their inventory.

However, buying an unsold SUV is more complex than picking one in a dealership. You need to research, compare offers, and master the art of negotiation. 

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You must also know the best time to buy an unsold SUV and what risks you should avoid.

That's the reason we have meticulously crafted this comprehensive guide to support you through the process of saving cash on unsold SUVs.

As you journey through this guide, you'll grasp strategies that dealerships implement like moving unsold SUVs to various locations, trading them off to car hire companies, providing incentives to purchasers, among others.

Having this understanding at your fingertips enables you to scrutinise and compare quotes, haggle for the finest deal, and guarantee that your prospective vehicle is in peak condition.

Feeling prepared to save a substantial amount of money? Let's commence!

• Why unsold cars exist and what they mean for you
• How dealerships manage unsold inventory and how you can benefit
• How to negotiate the best prices on unsold cars
• When is the best time to buy to get the best deals

This guide will help you search for and buy your dream SUV at a fraction of the original price. 

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

Why Unsold Vehicles Exist and What They Mean for You

You may have seen vehicles advertised all over your city or town, claiming that thousands of unsold SUVs are available for pennies on the dollar. 

But what are unsold cars, and why do they exist?

Simply put, they are vehicles that have been produced but have yet to be sold within a certain period of time. 

They can be brand new or slightly used, depending on how long they have been on the lot. They can also be models that are discontinued, overstocked, or unpopular.

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There are several reasons why they are out there and have never been sold. One of them is the mismatch between supply and demand. 

The SUV market has been booming in the past decade as more consumers prefer larger, more spacious, and more versatile luxury vehicles. 

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However, car manufacturers may have overestimated the demand or failed to anticipate changing consumer preferences.

As a result, they may have produced more cars than they could sell, leading to excess inventory.

Another reason is the impact of the global pandemic and economic hardships. The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted the production and distribution of vehicles and consumer spending and confidence. 

Many people postponed or canceled their plans to buy new cars, while others switched to cheaper or more fuel-efficient options. 

This reduced the demand for SUVs and left many dealerships with unsold inventory.

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But what does this mean for you as a potential buyer? 

It means that you have a unique opportunity to save money on a new or nearly new SUV.

Dealerships are eager to eliminate unsold vehicles because they take up space and cost money. 

They often offer discounts, incentives, and promotions to attract buyers and clear their inventory.

However, buying one is more complex than picking one in a dealership. You need to search, compare offers for the best prices, and master the art of negotiation. 

You must also know the best time to buy and what risks you should avoid.

The following sections will show you how to do all that and more. 

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How Dealerships Manage Unsold Inventory and How You Can Benefit

You may think that dealerships are desperate to sell their SUVs and will accept any offer you make. But that’s not necessarily true. 

Dealerships have various strategies and tactics to deal with that and still make a profit. 

However, if you know how they operate and what they offer, you can benefit from their situation and negotiate a better deal.

One of the strategies that dealerships use to manage unsold SUV inventory is to transfer them to other locations. 

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For example, if a dealership in a rural area has fewer unsold cars, it may send them to a dealership in an urban area with more demand. 

This way, the dealership can avoid paying storage fees and free up space for new models.

Another strategy is to sell them to rental car companies or fleet buyers. These buyers usually buy cars in bulk and at a discounted price. 

The dealers can eliminate many SUVs at once and generate some cash flow.

A third strategy is to offer incentives to customers to buy unsold vehicles. These incentives include cash rebates, sales, low APR financing, or lease specials. 

The dealership can reduce the price of the vehicle or lower the interest rate or monthly payment for the buyer. 

The manufacturer usually offers these incentives through captive financing companies, such as Ford Motor Credit or Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.

As a potential buyer and owner, you can benefit from these strategies and tactics by researching and comparing offers from different dealerships. 

You can use online tools like Edmunds or U.S. News to find your area’s best car deals and incentives. 

You can also contact dealerships directly and ask them about their unsold SUVs and what incentives they are offering.

However, it would be best not to assume that these incentives are the best deal you can get. It would help if you still negotiated with the dealership on the price of the vehicle and other fees. 

You should also check the vehicle’s condition and ensure it has not been damaged or worn out by sitting on the lot for too long.

In the next section, we will show you how to negotiate the best deal on SUVs and review what tips and tricks you should use.

How to Negotiate the Best Deal on an Unsold SUV

You have found the unsold SUV you want to buy and are ready to make an offer. But how do you negotiate the best deal with the dealership? 

Negotiating a car purchase can be intimidating and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. 

If you follow some simple tips and tricks, you can save money and get the SUV of your dreams.

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U.S. and Global SUV Statistics

Category	Statistic
U.S. SUV sales in Q1 2022	2.3 million units
U.S. SUV market share in Q1 2022	53.7% of total car sales
U.S. best-selling SUV model in Q1 2022	Toyota RAV4 (114,255 units)
U.S. best-selling SUV brand in Q1 2022	Toyota (398,029 units)
U.S. best-selling SUV segment in Q1 2022	Small SUVs (1.2 million units)
U.S. midsize SUV sales in Q1 2022	0.6 million units
U.S. midsize SUV market share in Q1 2022	13.9% of total SUV sales
U.S. best-selling midsize SUV model in Q1 2022	Jeep Grand Cherokee (55,510 units)
U.S. large SUV sales in Q1 2022	0.3 million units
U.S. large SUV market share in Q1 2022	7% of total SUV sales
U.S. best-selling large SUV model in Q1 2022	Chevrolet Tahoe (28,951 units)
Global SUV sales projection for 2026	36 million units
Global SUV market share projection for 2026	41% of total car sales
Global electric SUV sales projection for 2026	5 million units

Here are some steps to follow when negotiating a deal on an unsold SUV:

• Research the market value. Before you visit the dealership, do some homework and find out how much the SUVs are worth. You can use online tools such as Autotrader.com or Edmunds.com to estimate the vehicle’s fair market value based on its make, model, year, condition, mileage, and safety features, for example, lane departure warning or cruise control. 

• You can also check the prices of similar SUVs in your area and see what incentives and discounts are available. This will give you a realistic range of what you should pay for the SUV and what you should ask for as a starting point.

• Compare offers. Don’t settle for the first offer you get from the dealership. Comparing offers from different dealerships with unsold SUVs would be best. You can use online platforms like MotorTrend.com or SaverDaily.com to find the best deals and incentives your local dealerships offer.

• You can also contact dealerships directly and ask them about their SUVs inventory and what incentives they are offering. Some dealerships are more willing to negotiate than others, depending on their situation and inventory.

• Ask questions. When you visit the dealership, you should ask questions and gather information to help you negotiate a better deal. For example, you should ask how long the SUV has been on the lot, why it has yet to be sold, what maintenance or repairs it has received, and what warranty or service plan it comes with.

• You should also ask about any fees or charges not included in the sticker price, such as destination, documentation, or dealer preparation fees. You should also ask about any available trade-in value or financing options.

• Avoid common pitfalls. When negotiating an SUV deal, you should avoid common pitfalls that could cost you money or compromise your satisfaction.
• For example, you should avoid focusing on the monthly payment instead of the total price of the vehicle.
• The monthly payment may seem affordable, but it could hide a higher interest rate or a longer loan term, increasing your overall cost.
• Avoid being pressured into buying extra features or services you don’t need or want, such as extended warranties, gap insurance, or paint protection.
• You should also avoid being distracted by sales tactics such as limited-time offers, last-minute changes, or emotional appeals.

• Be confident and respectful. The most important thing when negotiating a deal on a SUVs is to be confident and respectful. It would be best to be confident in your knowledge of the vehicle’s market value, budget, and goals. It would help if you respected the dealership and its situation and needs.
• You should be bold and walk away if you don’t get a satisfactory offer or feel uncomfortable or pressured. It would be best if you were willing to compromise and find a win-win solution that benefits both parties.

Following these steps, you can negotiate the best deal on an SUV and drive away happy.

When is the Best Time to Buy an Unsold SUV?

You have learned how to find and negotiate a deal on an unsold SUV, but one more factor can affect your savings: timing. 

Buying an unsold SUV can make a difference in the price and availability of the vehicle. Some seasonal trends, market factors, and special events can influence the demand and supply of SUVs.

Here are some tips on when to buy an unsold SUV:

• Be confident and respectful. The most important thing when negotiating a deal on a SUVs is to be confident and respectful. It would be best to be confident in your knowledge of the vehicle’s market value, budget, and goals. It would help if you respected the dealership and its situation and needs.
• You should be bold and walk away if you don’t get a satisfactory offer or feel uncomfortable or pressured. It would be best if you were willing to compromise and find a win-win solution that benefits both parties.

• Buy at the beginning of a new model year. Another good time to buy an unsold SUV is at the beginning of a new model year. This usually happens in late summer or early fall, but it can vary depending on the manufacturer and the model.
• When a recent model year arrives, dealerships want to eliminate the previous model year as soon as possible.
• They may offer lower prices or higher trade-in values to entice buyers.

• Buy during major holidays. Many car companies and dealerships offer special deals and incentives during major holidays, such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Black Friday, or Presidents Day.
• These holidays are usually peak times for car shopping, as people have more time off and more disposable income.
• Dealerships may offer lower interest rates, cash rebates, or lease specials to lure customers.

• Buy when demand is low. Another way to save money on an unsold SUV is to buy when demand is low. Demand for SUVs can vary depending on the season, the weather, the economy, or consumer preferences.
• For example, demand for SUVs may be lower in winter when gas prices are higher, and roads are slippery.
• Demand may also be lower during recessions or pandemics when people have less money or confidence to spend on big-ticket items.

• Buy when supply is high. Conversely, you can save money on an unsold SUV by buying when the supply is high. Supply of SUVs can vary depending on the production, distribution, or popularity of certain models or brands.
• For example, the supply of SUVs may be higher when manufacturers overproduce or overestimate the demand for certain models or features.
• Supply may also be higher when new competitors enter the market or when consumer preferences shift to other types of vehicles.

Following these tips, you can time your purchase for the best deal on an unsold SUV and save even more money.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of our complete guide on how to save money on unsold SUVs. We hope you have learned a lot and are ready to take action and get the SUV of your dreams at a fraction of the original price.

Here are the main points we have covered in this guide:

• Unsold SUVs are vehicles that have been produced but have yet to be sold within a certain period. They can be brand new or slightly used, depending on how long they have been on the lot. They can also be models that are discontinued, overstocked, or unpopular.

• They out there for various reasons, such as the mismatch between supply and demand, the impact of the global pandemic and economic hardships, or the changing consumer preferences. They offer opportunities and risks for buyers who know how to find them and negotiate the best deal.

• Dealerships manage their SUVs by transferring them to other locations, selling them to rental car companies or fleet buyers, or offering incentives to customers. Buyers can benefit from these strategies and tactics by researching and comparing offers from different dealerships.

• Negotiating the best deal on an unsold SUV requires preparation and confidence. Buyers should research the vehicle’s market value, compare offers, ask questions, and avoid common pitfalls. They should also be respectful and willing to compromise with the dealership.

• Timing the purchase can affect the price and availability of unsold SUVs. Buyers should buy at the end of the year, at the beginning of a new model year, during major holidays, when demand is low, or when supply is high.

Now that you know how to save money on unsold SUVs, what are you waiting for? Take advantage of this unique opportunity to get a great deal on a new or nearly new SUV.

Contact your local dealerships today and find out what unsold SUV inventory they have and what incentives they offer. You’ll be surprised by how much you can save and how happy you’ll be with your new SUV.

Now that you know how to get the best price on unsold SUVs, you might wonder how to choose the best SUV for your family. Read our guide on choosing the best SUV for your family here.