Is the Official Suggested Retail Price of a Car the Naked Car Price?
2 Answers
The official suggested retail price of a car is not the naked car price; it is merely a recommended selling price. Below is relevant information about car pricing: Naked Car Price: The naked car price refers solely to the price of the car itself, excluding any additional fees. Typically, when purchasing a car at a 4S dealership, the dealership will display a price tag on the roof of the car, and the price shown is the naked car price. On-the-Road Price: The on-the-road price refers to the total cost required to legally drive the vehicle on the road, which includes the naked car price, vehicle purchase tax, compulsory traffic insurance and commercial insurance, as well as the fees for vehicle registration.
It wasn't until I bought a car the year before last that I finally understood the difference between the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and the ex-factory price. The MSRP is the retail price recommended by the manufacturer, including some standard configurations and the basic car price, while the ex-factory price usually refers to the pure price of the vehicle itself, excluding additional expenses such as taxes, insurance, license plate fees, or optional accessories. At that time, I had my eye on a domestic SUV with an MSRP of 200,000 yuan. When I went to the 4S store to negotiate, the salesperson directly said the ex-factory price could be around 180,000 yuan, and I could even bargain for a few thousand yuan less. However, in the end, I had to pay 15,000 yuan for the purchase tax, over 1,000 yuan for compulsory traffic insurance, 4,000 yuan for commercial insurance, plus a 500-yuan license plate service fee, bringing the total price directly to over 200,000 yuan. So, when buying a car, don't just focus on the MSRP and get excited—it's just a reference starting point. The ex-factory price is often negotiable, and the real cost depends on the entire transaction sheet. Beginners can easily be misled, so I recommend clarifying all the details in advance to avoid unnecessary expenses.
