By SCOTT McCLOSKEY

Staff Writer

The jingle of car keys under the tree on Christmas morning could make for a great surprise. For someone who may be considering purchasing or leasing a vehicle as a gift for a loved one over the holidays, end-of-year discounts and incentives may make it beneficial, as dealers are looking to make room for next year’s inventory.

Whiteside Chevrolet Sales Manager David Goff said this is a great time of the year to consider purchasing a vehicle as many of the manufacturers have a lot of “great incentives” going on this time of the year while they strive to move the 2016 models to make way for the 2017 models.

“Whatever is left, there are great deals on them,” Goff said. He said the Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevrolet Trax, a subcompact crossover sport utility vehicle, are always hot sellers for the dealership. He said SUVs and pick-up trucks are always popular choices as well, and leasing is always a great option.

Straub Automotive General Manager Kevin Cook said the incentives and discounts offered in a particular market can make buying some vehicles appealing toward the end of the year.

Cook said one of the things every manufacturer is looking at this time of year is, “where are their numbers going to end up?” He said if certain manufacturers are a little bit behind on numbers in this market (possibly with some slowdown of the oil and gas industry), their dealership gets additional incentives to try and help push this market.

“The manufacturers are really, really pushing the incentives … end-of-the-year is big,” said Cook. “A lot of times we noticed that the last 10 days of the year, the very end of December and the beginning of January can oftentimes be the very best week of the year that we’re going to have,” he commented.

“Right now, for instance, Hyundai has gotten really really agressive with the (Hyundai) Elantra. I mean your looking at a vehicle … that is a 2017 model that with no money out of your pocket you could get into for under $130 a month, plus tax, which is an incredible value. So if you are looking for something that is maybe a graduating senior or maybe a college student, or just as an additional vehicle to add to the family, for under $200 a month is a phenomenal value … and you’re talking about something that’s extremely well equipped,” Cook said.

He said with inclement weather around the corner, SUVs such as the Hyundai Sante Fe, the Honda CRV and Pilot and the Nissan Rogue, are all popular vehicles.

Roberta Robinson Olejasz, dealer principal of Bob Robinson Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC, said the dealership is currently are offering up to 15 to 20 percent off on some of their popular vehicles.

She said customers can always find great deals at the end of the year.

Robinson said going into the winter season, both the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore, are SUV’s offered in front-wheel or all-wheel drive that always make a great choice.

She said those vehicles also “lease well” for those interested in leasing. Additionally, she said the GMC Terrain and Acadia and Chevrolet Equinox are other great choices currently offered at their dealership.