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Car shoppers expecting blowout Memorial Day deals in 2025 may have noticed something different this year: the discounts just aren’t what they used to be. From lackluster financing specials to higher-than-usual lease payments, automakers appear to be holding back. The reason? A sudden drop in new car inventory has automakers tightening the reins.
Here’s a look at the latest new car inventory numbers, and how automakers are responding to this temporary ‘buyer’s market’.
New Car Inventory Is Much Lower In May 2025
From April to May 2025, new-vehicle inventory in the U.S. fell from 3.08 million to 2.8 million vehicles — a 10% decline. The latest numbers are courtesy of inventory management firm Lotlinx, which shared their market update with Automotive News. That’s the steepest drop we’ve seen since early 2023, and it’s no coincidence.
As buyers rushed to beat potential tariff-related price hikes, dealer lots thinned out fast. With fewer cars available, many automakers have pulled back on Memorial Day incentives, especially for popular models.
The latest inventory tally found that the estimated days’ supply of new cars shrank to 58 days, down from 71 days a month prior.
Compare that to a year ago, when inventory stood at 2.86 million with a 75-day supply — and you can see why 2025 isn’t delivering the same sales splash. Although inventory levels are similar to May of 2024, cars are selling much faster right now.
Ford and Toyota Pull Back the Most
Among the seven automakers that report monthly inventory and sales data, Ford and Toyota saw the sharpest declines in supply. Toyota continues to operate with the tightest inventory in the U.S., holding less than 30 days’ supply.
Lotlinx data shows hybrids are in the shortest supply at just 48 days nationwide. Traditional gas-powered vehicles follow at 59 days, with electric vehicles sitting at 90 days of supply — a month-over-month increase for the EV segment.
Here’s a quick snapshot of May inventory by new car segment:
Sedans: 50 days’ supply
SUVs: 56 days
Pickups: 69 days
Crossovers: 74 days
Even the highest-supply category — crossovers — saw declines from April levels.
Fewer Deals, But Not No Deals
Although overall Memorial Day incentives are milder in 2025, there are still some solid offers out there — especially if you’re flexible on model, trim, or location. We rounded up the Best Memorial Day Car Deals of 2025, including great lease specials, 0% financing, and up to $10,000 in cash offers. The deals are out there this May, if you know where to look.
But if you’re shopping for a high-demand model like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or any hybrid under $35K, expect dealers to play hardball. With dwindling inventory, there’s just no reason to discount deeply — and they know it.
As Memorial Day car sales heat up across the country, most automakers are pulling out all the stops to move inventory. Not Ford. While competitors like Chevrolet, Jeep, and Ram are offering thousands off in cash allowances and low-APR financing, Ford’s incentives are noticeably absent—or underwhelming at best. At the same time, Ford is raising prices on three of its most popular models, all while sitting on one of the highest inventories in the market.
It’s a bold move, and not a good sign.
New tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are beginning to ripple through the auto market, and Ford’s latest actions suggest it’s feeling the pressure more than most. From new price hikes to a disappointing Memorial Day sales strategy, the evidence is piling up: Ford is hurting.
Ford Raises Prices as Tariffs Hit Home
Effective May 2, Ford began raising prices on three of its most in-demand, Mexico-built vehicles: the Mustang Mach-E, Maverick, and Bronco Sport. The hikes—up to $2,000 on select trims—arrived just days after Ford warned investors that tariffs would add $2.5 billion in costs this year and suspended its earnings guidance.
A Ford spokesperson claimed the move was part of “usual” mid-year adjustments, “combined with some tariffs we are facing.” But calling this business-as-usual is a stretch. Ford is among the first major automakers to increase sticker prices in response to the tariffs, and it likely won’t be the last.
What’s especially notable is who hasn’t raised prices yet: General Motors. GM says it will also face billions in additional costs from tariffs, but so far, it has not raised MSRPs. That puts Ford in a uniquely precarious position—caught between bloated inventory and rising production costs, with few appealing offers to draw in buyers.
Ford’s Memorial Day Deals Fall Flat
Ford’s Memorial Day incentives are lackluster to say the least. In contrast to Chevrolet, Jeep, and Ram, which are offering steep discounts and compelling APR financing, Ford is mostly sticking to the basics during a prime time for selling cars. For shoppers hoping for big Memorial Day deals from the Blue Oval, it’s slim pickings.
Here’s how Ford’s incentives stack up against rival brands for top models:
Offers for the Ford F-150 are no where near the deals available for other full-size trucks.
APR Offer
Cash Offer
Lease Offer
F-150
None advertised
Employee pricing ($3,000 – $5,000 savings est.)
Lease the XLT from $619/mo for 48 months with $5,388 due
Silverado 1500
0.9% APR for 60 months
$3,500 cash allowance
Lease the LT 2FL from $409/mo for 36 months with $5,289 due
Ram 1500
1.9% APR for 72 months
$7,000 cash for FCA lessees, and employee pricing ($3,000 – $5,000 savings est.)
Lease the Big Horn from $369/mo for 42 months with $4,519 due
The Explorer is Ford’s #2 seller, after the F-Series truck. The absence of lease specials and noteworthy cash offers is telling during a top month for incentives.
APR Offer
Cash Offer
Lease Offer
Ford Explorer
5.9% APR for 72 months
Employee pricing ($2,000 – $4,000 savings est.)
None advertised
Chevrolet Traverse
None advertised
None advertised
Lease from $429/mo for 24 months with $5,539 due
Jeep Grand Cherokee
6.9% APR for 72 months
$4,500 cash for FCA lessees, and employee pricing ($2,000 – $4,000 savings est.)
Lease from $259/mo for 24 months with $3,769 due
The Chevrolet Blazer, GMC Terrain, and Jeep Compass all have better offers for Memorial Day.
FCA lessees can lease from $279/mo for 42 months with $4,159 due
Chevrolet is looking to dominate Memorial Day SUV sales with 0% financing on last year’s Tahoe and Suburban models. Ford’s Expedition will be a serious underdog with GM’s May incentives.
Employee pricing ($3,000-$5,000 savings est.), & $2,500 in cash
None advertised
The Ford Escape sells in great numbers — Ford sold 147,000 copies in 2024. This Memorial Day, competitors are looking to take back market share. With offers like this, they’re likely to succeed.
Lease from $259/mo for 36 months with $4,469 due (for FCA lessees)
Chevrolet Equinox
2.9% APR for 36 months
None advertised
Lease from $299/mo for 36 months with $2,449 due
Toyota RAV4
4.99% APR for 60 months
None advertised
Lease from $329/mo for 36 months with $3,999 due
Clearly, Ford’s offers pale in comparison to GM, Stellantis, and others. This isn’t a normal Memorial Day playbook—it’s a sign that Ford may not be in a position to offer better deals, even if it wants to.
Inventory Levels Signal a Bigger Problem
Ford’s pricing strategy becomes even more puzzling when you look at its inventory. As of early May 2025, the overall new car market has about 73 days of supply. Ford? 105 days. That’s 44% higher than average, with 496,328 new Ford vehicles sitting on dealership lots. Lincoln, Ford’s luxury arm, is in similar shape with 107 days of supply.
Any automaker with this much unsold inventory would normally be slashing prices, not raising them.
Let’s compare Ford’s inventory to its competitors. All numbers reflect Market Day Supply:
Only Jeep has more bloated inventory than Ford. This underscores just how much trouble Ford may be in.
What It All Means for Shoppers and the Industry
Ford’s latest moves—raising prices while letting inventory swell—paint the picture of an automaker caught off guard. While other brands use Memorial Day to clear out excess stock, Ford appears unable or unwilling to match their deals.
It’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a warning sign.
Rising costs from tariffs are impacting the whole industry, but Ford’s early price hikes and weak incentive strategy show it may be struggling more than its peers. And if the 25% tariff on imported vehicles remains in place, analysts say the U.S. auto market could shrink by over 1 million vehicles a year. Ford’s aggressive pricing shifts could be a signal of what’s to come.
Final Thoughts
Ford’s Memorial Day playbook is unlike anything we’ve seen from the company in years—and not in a good way. The combination of rising prices, massive inventory, and timid incentives suggests Ford is under significant pressure. While other automakers are absorbing tariff-related costs or offering buyers compelling reasons to act now, Ford is sending mixed signals.
For shoppers, it’s a reminder to compare deals carefully. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle this Memorial Day, Ford might not be the best place to start.
Looking to score a great deal on a new truck this Memorial Day? May is traditionally one of the best times of year to shop for pickups, and 2025 is no exception. Despite inventory pressure and shifting incentives due to ongoing auto tariffs, several automakers are rolling out offers worth the test drive.
We’ve rounded up the five best Memorial Day truck deals available right now, including 0% financing, big cash allowances, and rare lease promotions. All offers expire on June 2, 2025, unless noted otherwise.
2024 Jeep Gladiator
Best Deal: $10,250 bonus cash or 2.9% APR for 72 months
Jeep is going big to clear out leftover 2024 Gladiators, and this might be the most aggressive truck deal of the year. With over 1,200 units still sitting on lots nationwide, dealers are motivated to move inventory — fast.
Best Deal: 0.9% APR for 60 months + $3,500 total cash allowance
Chevy’s flagship truck gets a competitive low-APR deal paired with thousands in bonus cash. With Silverado inventory holding steady this spring, Chevy is offering solid incentives to keep up momentum heading into the summer.
Best Deal: $269/month for 36 months, $3,999 due at signing (select markets)
Fresh off a full redesign, the new Tacoma is more refined, tech-savvy, and efficient than ever. This lease deal is one of the few affordable midsize truck options this month — if it’s available in your region.
Best Deal: 2.99% APR for 72 months (regional offer)
Toyota rarely offers below-market APRs on its full-size trucks — they don’t have to. But for Memorial Day 2025, some regions are seeing extended 2.99% APR financing on over 20 different Tundra trims. If you’re in the right market, this is a standout offer.
Nissan’s no-nonsense Frontier continues to be one of the best values in the midsize truck segment. With up to $4,500 off the King Cab, this is a strong deal for buyers looking for capability without breaking the bank.
These five Memorial Day truck deals prove that savings are still out there — if you know where to look. Whether you’re after low-interest financing, serious bonus cash, or an affordable lease, Memorial Day 2025 offers something for every truck shopper. Just remember, all offers expire on June 2, and inventory for certain trims is limited.
Want expert help negotiating your deal? Use CarEdge Concierge for white-glove car buying support. Prefer the DIY route? CarEdge Insights helps you compare deals, spot negotiable listings, and avoid overpaying. Either way, we’ve got the tools to help you drive home with confidence.
Each year, May car deals are synonymous with Memorial Day sales. However, 2025 is full of challenges for automakers. With rising tariffs and economic uncertainty, some automakers are pulling back on promotions. Still, there are deals to be had if you know where to look. We’ve rounded up ten standout car deals in May 2025 featuring interest-free financing, cash incentives, and $0-down leases.
All May offers expire on June 2, 2025. Let’s dive in!
2024 Jeep Gladiator
Best Deal: $10,250 bonus cash or 2.9% APR for 72 months
This is one of the biggest cash incentives we’ve seen this year. With 1,255 2024 Gladiators left to sell, Jeep is motivated to clear out last year’s models before spring turns to summer.
Best Deal: 0% APR for 72 months or $7,500 customer cash
The Nissan Ariya is gaining in popularity, with CarEdge Insights showing that demand is rising. As the Ariya sales increase, this 0% APR offer may disappear in June.Nissan’s customer cash offer essentially matches the federal EV tax credit. With that incentive in limbo, it’s a great offer all-around.
Best Deal: 0% APR for 72 months or employee pricing plus $4,500 bonus cash
In May, Jeep continues to offer huge savings on this plug-in hybrid SUV. The Grand Cherokee 4xe is just as comfortable hauling a family as it is venturing off the beaten path. Most buyers would save the most with Jeep’s 0% financing offer.
Best Deal: 0% APR for 60 months, or lease the rear-wheel drive Model 3 for $349/month for 36 months with $0 due at signing before taxes and fees.
EV fans, take note. Tesla has only offered interest-free financing a few times in its history. This is also the first time Tesla has ever offered a zero-down lease deal. For buyers looking to finance a new car in 2025, this could save you thousands of dollars.
Tesla offers are subject to change at any time, so act fast if you’re interested!
This offer isn’t new, but it’s still a standout deal. Chrysler has been offering zero percent financing for the Chrysler PHEV minivan for months on end. According to CarEdge Insights, sales of the Pacifica are finally picking up. We wouldn’t be surprised if this is the final month for this APR incentive.
Best Deal: 0.9% APR for 60 months, plus $3,500 total cash allowance
The Silverado remains a favorite in the full-size truck segment, and this Memorial Day, it’s one of the few trucks offering low-APR financing incentives. Combine that with a generous $3,500 cash allowance, and you’ve got one of the best deals in May for a top-selling 2025 pickup.
GM has a few hundred 2024 Tahoes left to sell, and with an offer like this, they’ll be sold by Memorial Day. Full-size SUVs rarely see interest-free offers. This is a big win for families needing space and capability without a high finance cost.
Zero-percent financing is unheard of for the Chevy Suburban. This is a rare deal to say the least. The Suburban is unmatched in cargo space and passenger comfort, making it ideal for large families or anyone needing serious room. Don’t expect any 2024s to be left by the end of May. Act quickly if you’re serious about this offer!
Rivian has launched a limited-time lease deal on R1T and R1S electric vehicles, offering $0 down on models equipped with dual motors, the Max battery pack, and a performance upgrade. Available through May 31, 2025, this promotion includes a $6,500 credit toward the lease down payment, plus the built-in $7,500 federal EV credit for U.S.-made electric vehicles.
In select markets, Toyota is offering 2.99% APR for 72 months for 22 different trims of the Toyota Tundra. Rarely does Toyota offer such a great financing deal, since they typically don’t have any issues with demand. Each month, Toyota’s offers are more regional than we see from other OEMs. This APR special is available in certain parts of Texas, as well as other regions. See if this incentive applies to your area at Toyota.com.
Let CarEdge Take the Hassle Out of Your Journey
Despite a more challenging market in 2025, this year’s Memorial Day car deals still offer real savings for prepared buyers. From 0% APR financing to generous lease incentives and bonus cash, there are solid opportunities if you know where to look. Act quickly before these offers expire on June 2. Some of these offers apply to very limited inventory.
Ready to take the next step? Whether you want expert help negotiating your deal or prefer to go the DIY route, CarEdge has you covered. Use CarEdge’s car buying service for hands-on support from auto experts, or tap into CarEdge Insights to compare local deals, track pricing trends, and uncover negotiable listings near you. No matter your budget, we’ve got the tools and services to make car buying easy, once and for all.
In May 2025, the used car market is heating up — and fast. Between rising prices, a shortage of low-mileage vehicles, and renewed demand driven by economic uncertainty, it’s officially a seller’s market. But that doesn’t mean buyers are out of luck. Here’s what’s driving the shift, how used car prices are trending, and what shoppers can do to stay ahead of the game this summer.
Why Used Car Prices Are Rising Again
CarEdge’s own Ray Shefska recently checked how much his 2020 MINI Clubman was worth on the used market. Just six weeks after receiving a $16,600 offer, that same car was valued at $19,000 — a 15% increase in value. While Ray’s experience may sound extreme, it perfectly illustrates the broader trends driving up used car prices this spring.
So what’s going on? Several forces are converging this spring to push prices higher:
Used car demand is rising. Auto tariffs and fears of continued inflation have consumers acting fast. Many shoppers are buying now to avoid potentially higher prices later.
Seasonality is back. Warmer weather has always brought car buyers out in droves — and this year is no different. Think of it as the “spring rush” for cars, a trend that skipped only one year in recent memory: 2020.
The chip shortage echo. The pandemic-era production slump from 2021–2022 wiped out about 15 million new vehicles. Four years later, that shortfall is hitting the used market hard. With fewer gently-used cars in circulation, buyers are competing for a smaller pool of desirable inventory.
One result? The average age of a used car for sale is now 6.7 years — a 26% increase from 2020, when the average was just 5.3 years according to Manheim. However, many buyers still prefer a more gently-used vehicle, so younger pre-owned cars are selling for a steep premium in 2025.
After peaking above $28,000 in 2022, average used car prices dipped to just under $25,000. But now, prices are bouncing back.
Cox Automotive reports that the supply of used cars under $15,000 — often the most in-demand by budget-conscious buyers — is at its lowest level since 2021. These affordable vehicles are also selling the fastest.
Wholesale price data from Black Book shows that used car values are up 2.75% over the past two months — but that’s just the average. Zoom in on the most desirable vehicles, and the price increases are even sharper.
Younger Used Cars Are Gaining Value Fastest
Vehicles that are 0 to 2 years old are appreciating much faster than older cars. Buyers have caught on to the sharp depreciation that hits new cars as soon as they leave the lot — and they’re now prioritizing lightly-used vehicles instead.
That’s creating a perfect storm: low supply, high demand, and rapidly climbing prices for newer used cars. Meanwhile, older vehicles — especially those over 6 years old — are either holding steady or even losing value.
The takeaway? The younger the used car, the stronger its market value right now.
If you’re thinking about selling a car that’s less than five years old — especially one with low mileage — now is the time. Dealers and private buyers are paying top dollar for clean, late-model vehicles.
The average used car sells with about 70,000 miles on the odometer. If yours has under 30,000 miles, it’s a standout — and worth a serious premium.
The hottest vehicles on the market are 2021–2024 models with clean histories and relatively low mileage.
It’s Officially a Seller’s Market — But Smart Buyers Can Still Win
Yes, prices are rising. But used car shoppers still have a chance to land a great deal — especially if new car incentives dry up due to tariff pressures or reduced inventory. Here’s how to stay ahead:
✅ Find Aging Inventory
Use CarEdge Car Search to locate used cars that have sat on dealer lots the longest. These units are often the most negotiable.
✅ Know How to Negotiate
Arm yourself with free negotiation cheatsheets and walk into the dealership with confidence. A well-informed buyer is a powerful buyer.
✅ Don’t Skip the Inspection
A pre-purchase inspection can save you thousands down the road. It’s your best defense against buying a lemon.
✅ Be Flexible
Keep your options open. If one deal falls through or a dealer won’t budge on price, move on. Also, don’t get talked into paying for overpriced add-ons or junk fees. Here’s what’s legit, and what’s a ripoff.
✅ Use a Car Buying Expert
Feeling overwhelmed? Let a professional handle the hard part. CarEdge’s Car Buying Service offers expert help — and now features our most affordable option ever.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 used car market is undergoing rapid changes heading into May. Values are rising, inventory is tightening, and shoppers are rushing to lock in deals before prices rise further. Whether you’re selling a low-mileage car for top dollar or hunting for a well-priced used vehicle, the key is to do your homework, whether you’re buying or selling.
CarEdge Insights
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