New Car Deals for October 2010: Hybrids

Big trucks and expensive luxury models continue to carry the most generous sales incentives among hybrid-powered vehicles this month. With gas averaging under $3.00 a gallon, sales remain flat across the entire segment, though smaller and more affordable models like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid are holding their own among environmentally conscious buyers. Truck shoppers obviously see little benefit in spending top dollar to save what amounts to just a few mpg. Luxury-car buyers may be more inclined to drive a car that wears a “hybrid” badge of honor, provided it delivers acceptable levels of performance. We’ll likely see more of them down the road as upscale automakers turn to hybrid technology to help boost corporate average fuel economy in the face of stricter federal standards.

Here are the Best New Car Deals on Hybrids for October 2010:
2010 Mercedes S400 Hybrid: $3,010 cash (4Matic option credit) and $10,000 marketing support and 1.9 percent financing to 36 months, 2.9 percent to 66 months.
2010 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid/GMC Sierra Hybrid: $5,000 cash (2011 models $2,500 cash) or 0.0 percent financing to 72 months.
2010 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid: $5,000 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 72 months; 2011 models $2,000 marketing support and 1.9 percent financing to 36 months, 2.9 percent to 48 months, 3.9 percent to 60 months, 4.9 percent to 72 months.
2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7: $4,500 marketing support and 0.9 percent financing to 24 months, 1.9 percent to 60 months, 2.9 percent to 72 months.
2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid/GMC Yukon Hybrid: $3,000 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 72 months; 2011 models $2,000 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 2.9 percent to 60 months, 4.9 percent to 72 months.