2020 SURE Has Been Something! What Else Could Explain Premium Brand Cars Collecting Dust At Dealers While KIA'S Are Selling For $10k OVER MSRP?

I don't think ANYONE will doubt me in saying 2020 sure has been some kind of year. Pandemics, riots, elections, looting and the craziness just hasn't stopped!

And the car business has not dodged its effect either.

What would you have said if we predicted two years ago that in 2020 the premium brand cars like Audi, Lexus, BMW would be collecting dust and only selling at steep discounts? And KIA would have a model that people were paying over $15k ABOVE MSRP to own.

You would have said 001, what you been smokin'?

Well my friends, it's 2020 and it's HAPPENING.

I took my Telluride in for an oil change (23k miles) and the dealer is in the same auto mall with Audi, MB, Lexus, etc.

So while I was waiting for it, I decided to visit a couple of the other dealers undercover and get a state of the union.

Let's just say those premium brands have a LOT of inventory sitting, collecting dust and the sales people told me only selling at steep discounts.

YET, at my KIA dealer, all the loaded Tellurides are not only selling but you CANNOT buy one for LESS than $10k ABOVE MRSP. Think I'm kidding? I got the pictures! And I saw one being delivered for that while I was there.

This is the 2021 Nightfall Edition in the new Wolf Gray color. I think if i got a 21 I'd choose that color.





But there you see it... TEN G'S OVER! And they're GETTING IT!

Check out the rest of the photos and let us know YOUR opinions on the current state of the car biz and your opinion of this new color choice on the Telluride?

trmckin - 11/20/2020 9:54:37 PM

+4 Boost

A fool and his money are soon parted...

cidflekken - 11/21/2020 2:31:28 AM

+2 Boost

Where do you see it's $10k above list? Price $50k plus $5k in options. There is a market adj of $5k, list price $60k. I must be reading the Monroney wrong.

True Car price shows that a fully loaded SX AWD V-6 average $50K transaction price.

jtz7 - 11/21/2020 8:31:29 AM

+3 Boost

Speaking of Telluride, there is a leak of the new Sportage. It looks just like the Telluride just smaller. The headlights are a little different though. The Kia badge is on the grille instead of the hood. A mini Telluride coming.

malba2367 - 11/21/2020 8:47:12 AM

+2 Boost

Stop with this nonsense already...no one is paying over MSRP for a Telluride at this point. They are available on the lots, and selling for MSRP.

mre30 - 11/21/2020 11:38:00 AM

+2 Boost

Chalk it up to yet another messed-up thing about California...people pay 20% more for Kia's rather than shopping another brand.

The rules of economics (and what I will term 'rational norms' - i.e. the assumption that most people make rational decisions) often seems to be suspended in California.

I spent part of the year living in Utah..and we are all going nuts with the Californians that have moved in since COVID. Its nice that they are driving up home values and spending money but they are sort of driving us all nuts!

trmckin - 11/22/2020 9:44:20 PM

+1 Boost

we have the same influx here in Colorado. The appreciation on my home will let me retire much earlier than originally planned. I can deal with the fruits and nuts until that day comes. We get unsolicited offers every couple of weeks. Craziness

atc98092 - 11/21/2020 3:22:54 PM

+2 Boost

Unless you see the purchase agreement, you have no idea if they're actually getting any of that market adjustment. Just because it's on the second sticker doesn't mean someone is actually paying it.

bnilhome - 11/23/2020 7:45:47 AM

+2 Boost

I completely agree which is why I have said many times that Hyundai needs to ditch Genesis and use Kia as their premium/luxury brand.

deaHelkcunK - 11/23/2020 12:24:30 PM

+1 Boost

That's not happening in the smarter half of the country.