With the coronavirus crisis wreaking havoc on the automotive industry (and elsewhere, of course), the impending 202-plate wave of new-car registrations takes on ever more significance this summer than in previous years. Here's our look at the Irish offers from the various manufacturers.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa has some limited-edition models of the Giulietta, while it is also bigging-up the refreshed Giulia and Stelvio lines too, including the hot Quadrifoglio models. However, finance offers are still being finalised, although 5.5 per cent HP and PCP deals are promised.
Audi
Audi is citing the low monthly payments, in headline terms, for each of the A3, A4 and A6 model lines, with PCP deals starting from (respectively for each car) €299pcm, €399pcm and €499pcm.
BMW
Some trumpeting of new mild-hybrid (MHEV) technology across the BMW board for the 202-plate cars, resulting in lower CO2 figures and running costs, while also making reference to incoming plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles like the X1 xDrive25e. Beyond that, it's low APR deals on finance, so 2.9 per cent on all petrol and diesel versions of the X-range of SUVs (except for the X7, which runs at 5.9 per cent APR). Both the 3 Series and 5 Series ranges are available with 3.9 per cent APR.
Citroen
A big push on zero per cent APR for most of Citroen's passenger car range in Ireland, with only the C1, Berlingo and SpaceTourer incurring any interest on 3.9 per cent deals. That means all of the C3, C3 Aircross, C4 Cactus, C4 SpaceTourer and C5 Aircross are available on zero per cent APR for the 202 registrations, the C5 Aircross in particular coming in from as little as €205pcm. If that's not all incentive enough, those not availing of finance deals can instead opt for up to €4,000 in scrappage bonuses (not available on Berlingo or C5 Aircross), while Citroens vans are also available on 3.9 per cent HP or scrappage up to €3,000. If a customer wants scrappage and finance together, the HP increases to 4.9 per cent.
Dacia
Dacia's cars are such good value anyway that it's a wonder the Romanian company runs any offers to further incentivise buyers, but there are some 202 deals on. These include three-month deferred payment options on finance and 4.9 per cent APR deals on the full range of Dacia's vehicles. Once restrictions lift further, Dacia will also be offering 48-hour test drives of the Duster. To qualify for Dacia's deals, all orders must be placed by July 31, 2020, and the cars must be registered by the same date; this offer applies to current stock only, not new builds.
Fiat
Fiat has a blanket 5.9 per cent rate on finance, available on either 61 months' worth of HP or 48-month PCP deals. That means certain models, like the Panda, are available from as little as €35 per week. Model refreshes of the 500X, 500L and Tipo are all referenced for customers, while the new 500 Hybrid is now available from €15,745, excluding the dealer delivery and related charges.
Ford
Ford is offering a catch-all 4.9 per cent APR on finance, seven years' worth of warranty and seven years' worth of roadside assistance across the board. Beyond this bundle of 202 goodness, expect big registration bonuses on certain models - there's €500 off the Fiesta and S-Max, €1,500 off all of the Puma, Mondeo and Galaxy, €2,000 off the outgoing EcoSport, and €2,500 off the Focus and Kuga lines.
Honda
Honda's 202 offers centre on the Civic family, with 3.9 per cent on all five-door Hatchback and four-door Sedan models. That means a new Civic can be bought for as little as €259pcm on PCP, or from €24,250 if you're buying outright.
Hyundai
No model-specific deals from Hyundai, but a decent raft of offers nonetheless makes for plenty of customer interest. Enjoy five years' free servicing, scrappage and emission-reductions offers of up to €5,000, or 3.9 per cent APR finance on all models. The proviso is that you have to order before June 30, 2020, and have the car registered before July 31, 2020. This offer applies to electric vehicles, as well as the regular combustion-engined Hyundais.
Jaguar
Jaguar is offering APR as low as 2.9 per cent on finance deals and there's also a three-month payment holiday option. The low APR is offered on Chequered Flag versions of the E-Pace, F-Pace, XE and XF, but bear in mind that finance on the desirable I-Pace EV SUV runs at 5.5 per cent.
Jeep
Similar to parent company Fiat and sister firm Alfa Romeo, Jeep has the 5.5 per cent finance deals on 61-month HP or 48-month PCP contracts. All of the Renegade, Compass and Wrangler have been updated for the 2020 model year.
Kia
Korean company Kia is focusing on 'Flexible Finance Options' for the 202 rush. There's 3.9 per cent APR on PCP deals across the entire range, but for cheaper monthly payments the carmaker is offering HP from zero per cent, rising to 3.9 per cent. Alternatively, there's 'low-deposit HP', whereupon HP at 4.9 per cent (across anything from two up to five years) is available with just a 1zero per cent deposit. The zero per cent APR deal on HP is available on the Sportage, Stonic, e-Soul, Niro Plug-In Hybrid and Ceed models, with an exclusion on the XCeed plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
Land Rover
Like sister company Jaguar, Land Rover Ireland is offering the three-month payment holiday on finance deals, although its lowest rate of APR is 3.9 per cent, slightly higher than Jag's. Both the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque can be financed at 3.9 per cent APR, but the larger Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Velar are offered at 5.5 per cent APR.
Lexus
Two very simple, straightforward deals from Lexus for the 202 period: choose from either a €2,000 Hybrid Trade-In Allowance on all of the UX, ES and NX lines; or, if you want finance instead, expect an APR of 3.9 per cent on said models.
Mazda
Mazda's running a 'home test-drives' incentive for its customers, to cater for those who are elderly or at high risk who might prefer not to travel to car showrooms during the last vestiges of the coronavirus lockdown. Instead, Mazda will bring the cars to your home, sanitising the vehicles thoroughly between test drives. Precedence will be offered to those less able to travel, although anyone looking to sample a new Mazda can avail of this scheme. After that, Mazda Ireland is claiming that it will 'tailor special 202 offers to customers', depending on their needs - and this measure includes finance rates, a discounted purchase price, increased trade-in value, free accessories and upgrades, and more.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes doesn't have any specific 202 offers but would like to draw customers' attention to the latest GLA, GLB and E-Class models, among more, as being fresh products in the post-COVID-19 era.
MINI
Simple enough from the British marque, with a flat 2.9 per cent APR on finance deals, save for the MINI Electric at 4.9 per cent and the MINI Convertible at 5.9 per cent.
Mitsubishi
Order an Outlander PHEV before July 31, 2020, and Mitsubishi Ireland will offer you zero per cent APR on HP finance, as well as the free fitment of a Wallbox Pulsar home-charging points worth €800. Alternatively, order a Space Star before the same date and you can enjoy two years' worth of free road tax. Finally, there's 2.9 per cent APR on HP or a €2,000 trade-in booster on the L200 pick-up, again when ordering before July 31. Indeed, Mitsubishi Ireland is offering low finance rates on both PCP (3.9 per cent all models) or HP (from 0 to 5.9 per cent APR, depending on the model chosen).
Nissan
Nissan Ireland's headline 202-plate act is a Guaranteed Minimum €3,000 Scrappage incentive, which actually rises to €5,000 on some models. Bring in an older, more polluting car to a Nissan dealership and you'll get €3,000 off the Micra, Juke or Leaf EV, €4,000 towards the Qashqai and €5,000 off the X-Trail SUV. Light commercials are also included in this scheme, with €3,000 off an NV300 van, €4,000 towards a NV400 van or Qashqai Commerical, and €5,000 off an X-Trail van or Navara pick-up. Beyond this, there's a 'Subscribe and Drive' offer, allowing customers to own a new car from as little as €356 per month without having to pay a deposit, and zero per cent APR on HP finance for the Micra supermini.
Opel
Aside from a zero per cent APR HP finance offer on its range of light commercial vehicles, Opel will offer HP or PCP finance on its range of passenger cars as well - at a rate as low as 2.9 per cent APR. These offers are available on every car in the German manufacturer's range and, as a further sweetener on the deal, three years' worth of free servicing is chucked into the mix too. All you have to do to qualify is have your new Opel registered by August 31, 2020.
Peugeot
Peugeot Ireland has a five-point plan of incentives for potential 202-plate customers, which are as follows: a scrappage offer on trade-ins of up to €4,000; a lowest 3.9 per cent APR on finance; a deposit contribution of €500 on the 308 family; a five-year warranty; and a three-year complimentary service-plan offer on the 3008 and 5008 lines.
Renault
Following on from Renault Group Ireland's proposal for a short-term VRT reduction to stimulate a recovery in new-car sales, the French outfit has also come up with a '202 Buy Now, Pay Later 3+2+1' offer on all current stock across the Renault car range. This incorporates three months' worth of deferred payments on finance, 2.02 per cent APR on finance (saving around €2,500 on interest payments compared to high-street banks) and €1,000 cashback on all models. This applies to the Zoe, Clio, Captur, Kadjar, Megane, Scenic and Koleos models, if ordered and registered by July 31st, 2020. There are also deals to be had on 191- and 192-plate used Renaults, as well as the brand's light commercial vehicles too.
SEAT
Some good deals from SEAT Ireland, which is not only running a zero per cent PCP finance offers on all of its five main model ranges but is also providing a three-month payment break on said zero per cent PCP deal, a heavily discounted three-year service plan and the chance to go online to print off a voucher for up to €3,000 of discount on some models. The zero per cent PCP means you can get in an Ibiza from as little as €179pcm, an Arona from €199pcm, an Ateca from €269pcm and a Tarraco from €339pcm. All four of these qualify for a €1,000 discount voucher, while the older Leon can be discounted by €3,000. As if that weren't enough, a scrappage scheme of up to €5,000 on selected models across the range can be had, at 5.9 per cent PCP with monthly rates as low as €209.
Skoda
Like fellow Volkswagen Group SEAT, Skoda is running the three-month payment holiday on PCP deals, as well as finance rates as low as zero per cent APR. That's on its cars specifically, though, so the Fabia, Scala, Octavia and Superb; for its more in-demand crossovers and SUVs, which are the Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq, Skoda will offer 1.9 per cent APR on finance. All models come with three years' free servicing to put the cherry on the cake.
Suzuki
Nothing too flashy from Suzuki but zero per cent APR on finance for the cheerful Swift, Ignis and Vitara lines is worth checking out.
Toyota
A range of new offers for the 202 registrations from Toyota include a finance contribution of up to €3,000 with 3.9 per cent APR on Flex PCP, a Trade-In Booster (TIB) of up to €3,000 if you decide not to buy on finance, and three years' servicing as standard for all customers. All models have a 3.9 per cent APR rate on finance, save the Aygo X-play+ (2.9 per cent APR), and further details are as follows: the Aygo has a €700 finance contribution; the Yaris has a choice of a €2,500 contribution for the finance or €2,500 TIB (Hybrid models 3.9 per cent APR on finance only); the Corolla family can be had with a €1,500 finance contribution, or a €1,500 TIB; the C-HR is available with up to €3,000 of finance contribution, or a €3,000 TIB; the RAV4 can be financed with a €2,000 contribution (no TIB available); the Camry comes on the same deal as the RAV4; the Prius has a finance contribution or a TIB of €3,000; the Prius+ only has the 3.9 per cent finance or a €1,000 TIB, with no finance contribution available; and the Proace Verso can be financed on 3.9 per cent APR HP or can be bought with a €2,500 TIB. Toyota's light commercial vehicles also have HP, scrappage and TIB deals running on them.
Volkswagen
The German giant's 202 programme is called the 'Volkswagen Assurance Plan'. This includes: zero per cent APR finance on PCP, including the Golf Mk8, last stocks of the e-Golf, the Tiguan SUV and its larger Allspace derivative, the Passat and its GTE plug-in hybrid model, and the Arteon; or, alternatively, purchase contributions of up to €2,000 to buy your preferred model; or a discounted service plan at €10 per month; and a three-month payment deferral scheme on finance deals.
Volvo
Volvo has two specific deals running, on its desirable XC40 and XC90 SUVs. The former is available from €37,797 with zero per cent APR on PCP and a complimentary Volvo Service Agreement, while the latter (starting from €77,970) comes with a purchase contribution of €1,500, the option to fit the Xenium Pack (normally worth €3,093) for €999, and the same complimentary Volvo Service Agreement. Indeed, the free servicing package is available for all new Volvo registrations, provided they are completed by July 31, 2020.