This Memorial Day, take a moment and think about the freedom you enjoy and why many Americans commemorate it with a day off. The brave men and women of the United States military deserve our thanks, as they continue to serve and protect our country.
Thankfully, some of the major automakers have taken steps to celebrate active-duty and retired servicemen with some special incentives. These deals are usually stackable with other current incentives, and can really help you save a bundle on your next new car purchase.
Let’s take a look at what the automotive community is currently offering to military members. Some of these deals are soon to expire, though you can bet that they will be replaced with incentives of similar scope. In what can be a thankless and perilous job, at least the new car industry has your back.
BMW (BMW, MINI)
BMW and its MINI brand offer significant savings (up to $2,000 on BMW models; up to $1,000 on MINI models) for eligible USAA members. These discounts can be combined with most other current special offers. In addition, for military personnel currently stationed overseas, BMW offers a special purchase program offering flat pricing with discounts off MSRP plus tax-free purchasing, help with shipping the car home when it’s time, exclusive warranty programs and a guarantee the car will be built to comply with U.S. regulations.
Fiat-Chrysler (Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, Jeep, FIAT)
Now through June 2, Chrysler is serving up $500 Military bonus cash for active duty, reserve, retired military and honorably discharged veterans. The incentive is combinable with other special offers and is good toward nearly all 2013-2014 Fiat-Chrysler products. You’ll also find additional savings for military members currently stationed overseas through ENCS.(Expires 6/2/2014)
Ford (Ford, Lincoln)
FoMoCo currently offers $500 military bonus cash on Ford and Lincoln-branded vehicles to active service military personnel. This offer is combinable with most other current special promotions, and is available on all model-year 2013-2015 Ford and Lincoln products save for a couple of niche market vehicles. In addition, Ford offers special purchase programs through ENCS for military servicemen stationed overseas.
General Motors (Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac)
The GM Military Discount program offers significant cash savings on nearly all General Motors products for active-duty, reserve and retired military servicemen and their spouses. Savings will vary by model, but can reach up to $2,000 on pricier cars. Military Discount savings are combinable with most other current offers, leading to thousands in savings off MSRP.
Honda (Honda, Acura)
Honda, including its Acura luxury brand, are ramping up the military savings in celebration of Memorial Day. Now through June 2, take $1,000 off any 2013 or newer Honda vehicle or $1,500 off any Acura vehicle for active-duty and reserve military personnel and their spouses. If you miss the June 2 deadline, you’ll still be able to take $500 off a new Honda or $750 off a new Acura through June 30, 2014. This offer is combinable with special financing and cash savings, but you must work with Honda Financial Services to take advantage. (Expires 6/2/2014)
Hyundai-Kia
Military buyers of most new 2013-2015 Hyundai and Kia cars can take an extra $500 customer cash back in addition to other current special offers. This offer is open to active duty, Reserve/National Guard, Veteran with Honorable Discharge, or retired service members and their spouses. (Expires 6/2/2014)
Jaguar-Land Rover
Active-duty military and DOD contractor Jaguar and Land Rover buyers currently stationed overseas can take advantage of special military discounts with savings of up to thousands off MSRP. If you have a longer tour of duty abroad, you are eligible for a Visiting Forces rate for a European or UK-spec vehicle, as well.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi will give current active duty and reserve U.S. Military Members an extra $500 customer cash rebate that is combinable with other current special offers. Some dealers are offering an extra additional $500 in bonus savings for military members, just for Memorial Day. This offer is available on most 2013 and 2014 models. (Expires 6/2/2014)
Nissan (Nissan, Infiniti)
Nissan and its Infiniti luxury brand currently offer good savings on new 2013-2015 vehicles for active duty, reserve, retired military, and veterans within 1 year of discharge, plus their spouses or partners. The Military Vehicle Purchase Program offers extra savings that will vary by vehicle and come in addition to any other cash or financing discounts. Currently, offers include an extra $1,000 off a new 2014 Xterra or Frontier, and $1,500 off a new Titan or Armada. (Expires 5/30/2014)
Subaru
Among the most generous of all current military discount programs, Subaru will give current active-duty servicepeople savings of between $1,300 and $3,300 off MSRP depending on model and options. These discounts come in addition to any currently available national or regional offers.
Toyota (Toyota, Scion, Lexus)
Combinable with other current special offers, Toyota offers military buyers of any new Toyota, Scion or Lexus model an extra $500 customer cash rebate. This offer is available to current active duty, inactive reserves, retirees or veterans within 1 year of discharge, and their families. You must take financing through Toyota Financial Services to take advantage of the extra savings.
Volkswagen (Audi, Volkswagen)
VW and Audi offer a special purchase program for active-duty military, DOD contractors and diplomats currently living outside of the United States. Contracting with Military AutoSource, the program provides exclusive discounts saving up to thousands off MSRP, plus 100% price matching and 100% money-back guarantee. You need to be stationed overseas, but you can take delivery of your vehicle stateside or at participating partner locations located on bases throughout Europe and elsewhere.
Volvo
For military community members currently overseas, Volvo offers a special purchase program with a number of money-saving benefits. Factory pricing means savings of up to thousands over current MSRP, and you’ll also get a 4-year worldwide warranty and free shipping of your vehicle back to the United States within 5 years. Other benefits include option package savings and 3 years of free service.