Why This is an Incredible Time to Buy a 2019 Ram 1500

Ram is running specials on most of its vehicles trying to clear out inventories. Ads say that dealers have low prices called Employee Pricing Plus as well as thousands of dollars in rebates.

I’m sure you have seen and heard the television and radio ads, saying that Fiat Chrysler is having Employee Pricing Plus and great rebates to end 2019. This may be your best time yet, to buy a 2019 Ram 1500, especially if you like big wheels and lots of other add-ons. In some of the ads, Fiat Chrysler suggests that this is its most aggressive pricing since the recession in 2008. Insiders say that the pricing is five percent below what the dealer typically pays plus rebates on some vehicles. A quick check of available rebates in the Denver area suggests that rebates of up to $3500 are available for some 2019 Ram trim packages, as well as 0 percent financing.

Bloomberg is reporting that Fiat Chrysler is trying to unload thousands of unassigned vehicles by trying to force auto dealers to take them. It is a practice that Lee Iacocca started decades ago. In theory, the auto company pressures its dealers to take vehicles that they didn’t order and don’t really want, instead of allowing them to order exactly what the buyer desires. Dealers have a great idea of what sells in their area and what type of accessories their buyers want. They know if the people who buy from them want basic work trucks or expensive, loaded trucks.

New Software May Have Triggered the Excess Production

Fiat Chrysler executives reportedly blame the glut of vehicles on a new computer program it uses to streamline vehicle production. The “predictive analytics system” has supposedly helped the automaker trim inventories over the past year but the company ended up with excess inventory in December. That is good news for the average consumer, who may be looking to put a big bow on a vehicle as a holiday surprise.

The company claims that the new software predicts the packages that are the most in demand. Bloomberg, however, reports that the inventory includes 2019 heavy-duty Ram Bighorn trucks with expensive 20-inch wheels, while dealers want trucks with standard 18-inch wheels.

Excess Vehicles Hurting Dealers in the Short Term

Bloomberg says that Fiat Chrysler is supposedly limiting dealers’ orders, instead trying to get the dealers to sell the excess vehicles that are already in the system.

Fiat Chrysler denies that there is any problem with excess vehicles and says the new software is working as hoped.

Fiat Chrysler recently settled its new contract with the UAW and is currently in an agreement to merge with France’s PSA Group. This is not a good time for anyone to be rocking the boat or making it appear that it is having trouble managing its inventories. It may be a great time to get yourself a deal on a new 2019 Ram 1500. Pursue not just the typical end of year rebates and the “Employee Pricing Plus” discounts, but also see if you can haggle on some of the expensive options that you really may not need or want.That is always good advice when considering a new vehicle but in this instance the dealer may be able to give you an incredible price on what could be the truck of your dreams.

Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.