The perfect storm has arrived for tradies and commercial buyers. June is typically the most competitive month of the year for the Australian new car market. Manufacturers keen on balancing out the books (and excess dealer stock) traditionally go all-out by slashing prices across their line-ups. But for 2016 there is an added incentive for trade buyers. The federal government recently extended a tax break allowing businesses who make up to $10 million in annual turnover (up from $2 million) to recoup the costs of assets worth up to $20,000 as an immediate tax deduction. One word of advice to prospective buyers: do your research. It pays to browse online before you visit a dealership as some of the most competitive deals are sometimes hidden at the dealer forecourt. Similarly, be sure to read the fine print on "free on-roads" ? which does not always mean drive away ? and be aware of low interest rate finance deals that are laced with hidden costs offsetting any discount. Here, Drive sifts through the industry sales and picks out some of the best buys for commercial and trade buyers.
Renault Kangoo short wheelbase manual diesel Regular price: $21,990 plus on-road costs The Kangoo is the smallest member of the Renault commercial stable. In this guise it trades the more willing and efficient 1.5-litre turbo diesel for a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. Citroen Berlingo L2 manual diesel Regular price: $26,990 plus on-road costs Citroen is doing runout deals on 2015 plated Berlingo models. The L2 long wheelbase features a 750kg payload, 180-degree barn-style rear doors and twin sliding doors. It can hold a full-size Australian pallet. Fiat Doblo short wheelbase manual diesel Regular price: $27,000 plus on-road costs Promotion price: $24,000 plus on-roads (after cash back) Fiat is offering $3000 cash back to ABN holders across its commercial range. The Doblo featured includes a 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine tied solely to a six-speed manual. The Fiat offers separate locking for the passenger and cargo compartments along with twin sliding side doors and barn-style rear doors.
Volkswagen Caddy short wheelbase TSI160 Regular price: $23,990 plus on-road costs The petrol-driven TSI160 sits at the entry point of Volkswagen's Australian caddy line-up. The 1.2-litre petrol offers up 62kW of power, and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Rear barn doors, colour touchscreen audio and Bluetooth audio streaming are standard inclusions. Regular price: $37,990 plus on-road costs Promotion price: $1500 factory bonus for commercial buyers The iLoad was recently updated with mild styling tweaks and added thorax airbags for improved safety credentials. Its 2.5-litre diesel engine is matched by a 1098kg payload and maximum 1500kg braked towing capacity (2000kg in manual guise). Regular price: $25,990 plus on-road costs LDV has extended introductory pricing on its G10 van for the end of financial year sales. Powered by a 2.4-litre petrol engine, the G10 is available in automatic and manual guise. It is fitted standard with dual sliding doors and rear-lift tailgate and offers a one-tonne payload.
Renault Trafic short wheelbase single turbo Regular price: $34,990 plus on-road costs Renault has extended the Trafic's already-discounted sale price for the end of financial year sales. Available with a manual transmission only, the diesel van brings excellent safety credentials and strong day-to-day amenity. Volkswagen Transporter T6 TDI250 manual Regular price: $32,990 plus on-road costs Estimated saving: Carry over price Volkswagen recently updated the Transporter range, introducing a new entry model called the TDI250. Paired with a manual gearbox, the 75kW turbo diesel engine is complemented by cruise control, rear parking sensors and a lifting rear tailgate. VW Australia has extended the Transporter's drive away pricing, a significant saving on the former base model TDI340. Regular price: $41,990 plus on-road costs Volkswagen has pared back pricing on its Crafter van. The TDI300 model is fitted with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 80kW of power and 300Nm of torque and is tied to a six-speed manual transmission.
Rear barn doors, a 9.0 cubic metre cargo capacity and 3550kg gross vehicle mass ensure strong trade credentials. Regular price: $47,680 plus on-road costs Ford's generously-sized Transit van has been discounted. Deal applies to long wheelbase derivatives powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine and mated with a six-speed manual transmission. The Transport features a maximum 1295kg payload, large door openings and a full suite of airbags. Ford Falcon FG X Ute XR6 Regular price: $ 33,640 plus on-road costs Ford's soon-to-be-retired Falcon Ute has had a price chop in the annual sales. Deal applies to the XR6 Ute, fitted with a 4.0-litre petrol six-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, 8.0-inch colour touchscreen, sports suspension and alloy sports bar. Isuzu D-Max SX 4x2 single cab chassis Regular price: $29,518 plus on-road costs Isuzu has discounted the entry model of its line-up. The SX is driven by the same 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine as other D-Max models, but is mated solely to a five-speed manual gearbox.
With 130kW and 380Nm on offer, the two-wheel drive version is rated to carry 1320kg (including tray and passengers) and can tow 2500kg braked. Mazda BT-50 single cab chassis XT 4x2 manual Regular cost: $25,570 plus on-road costs Promotion cost: $26,990 drive-away with tray Mazda's base model BT-50 has been discounted to the order of $5000. Deal includes a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, manual transmission and an aluminium tray fitted as standard. Regular price: $23,990 drive away Indian manufacturer Mahindra has reduced pricing on its second-tier Pik-up models. The single cab chassis pictured is fitted with a turbo diesel engine, speed sensitive differential lock and 2.5-tonne braked towing capacity. It also includes a $300 tradie pack comprising Bluetooth hands free and an additional 12-volt power outlet. Toyota HiLux single cab chassis 4x2 WorkMate petrol Regular cost: $20,990 plus on-road costs Promotion price: $23,990 drive-away (with free tray)
Toyota has mildly discounted its new HiLux released last year. The petrol guise WorkMate is the entry model to the line-up, fitted in this case with 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and manual transmission. An aluminium tray is included in the deal. Ford Ranger 4x2 XLT double cab pick up 3.2-litre Regular price: $46,490 plus on-road costs Promotion price: $47,990 drive-away with Tech Pack The Ford Ranger is making huge headway in the utility segment, courtesy of excellent on-road dynamics and a brute five-cylinder drivetrain. The two-wheel drive manual version advertised offers the same ride height, towing ability and looks as its 4x4 sibling for $9000 less. Tech pack includes reversing camera and adaptive cruise control. Holden Colorado LS-X Crew cab 4x4 Regular price: $45,490 plus on-road costs Promotion price: $37,990 drive-away with free automatic The Colorado is in runout mode ahead of new model arriving in September. The LS-X featured comes with free automatic transmission upgrade and three year's free servicing.
It features a class-equalling 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity. Isuzu D-Max Crew Cab LS-U manual 4x4 Regular price: $46,100 plus on-road costs The popular D-Max crew cab might be well into its lifecycle, but it is still proving to be good value and relevant to the needs of tradies and family buyers alike. Deal applies to MY15 stock and includes a 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine, manual transmission and four-wheel drive. Mazda BT-50 XT 4x4 manual Regular price: $44,615 plus on-road costs Promotion price: $41,990 drive-away Mazda made light changes to its hay-hauler last year, mostly by updating the infotainment system and front bumper. The XT manual advertised gets the full-fruit 3.2-litre turbo diesel shared with Ford's Ranger. Mitsubishi Triton GLS 4x4 diesel Regular price: $40,990 plus on-road costs Mitsubishi updated the Triton in 2015, introducing a smaller displacement 2.4-litre engine that brings a 3.1-litre towing capacity and circa 950kg payload.