Retail offers from Honda, Proton and Suzuki

Consumer confidence has been down in recent months. With everything going on in the world (particularly the USA), it's easy to fear the worst, but the government is backing Australia's safe banking system, the Chinese are still buying our mineral exports -- and the car companies are determined to keep shifting stock.

Three importers have announced retail sales programs within the last couple of weeks.

Honda's annual 'Once-A-Year-Day-Sale' has been held back a couple of months this year (it was scheduled for July last year). The sale this year falls on October 18, this Saturday, and encompasses free registration and compulsory third party insurance, an extended (five-year/140,000km) warranty and roadside assistance for the CR-V, the Civic, Civic Type R, Accord, Accord Euro, Odyssey, Legend and S2000.

Honda will also forgo pre-delivery and stamp duty charges for the Type R and Odyssey. Buyers taking advantage of this offer and also arranging comprehensive insurance through Honda will receive an extra month's cover, gratis. The offer applies to vehicles currently in stock and delivered by the end of this month.

Suzuki is also running its 'Suzuki Saturday Sale', which actually runs from October 15 to October 22 (with only one day during that period a Saturday, per se).

As Honda has done, Suzuki is offering buyers an extended warranty (five-year/130,000km cover in Suzuki's case) for any vehicle purchased during the week-long sale period.

Suzuki will sell the limited edition Swift Rally Edition 3 (RE3) -- priced at $16,990 --- with $3000 worth of extra features, including: alloy wheels, a sports body kit and unique decals. Production is limited to 800 units. The standard Swift Sport is also subject to a special offer for the sale: 'drive-away' pricing of $23,990.

On the subject of 'drive-away' pricing, every variant of the SX4 small car is being sold free of on-road costs during the period of the sale. Suzuki has reduced the price of the SX4 S sedan to $19,990 also.

The Grand Vitara SUV -- also sold with the extended warranty cover for the duration of the sale period -- will come with a Garmin Nuvi 310 satellite navigation unit at no extra cost. Still on SUVs, Suzuki is offering buyers drive-away pricing on the Jimny Sierra during the course of the sale and the company is also letting go of the APV light commercial vehicle with drive-away pricing.

Proton's sale runs for the entire fourth quarter of this year and comprises drive-away pricing for the Savvy -- a saving of approximately $1500, according to Proton -- and added features for the Jumbuck utility. The Jumbuck gains a free tow bar, wiring pack and protective tray liner (fitting included). Proton estimates the added value in the Jumbuck deal to be worth $1200. Both offers will be available to Proton buyers until December 31 or while stocks last.

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