10 Smart Moves for Year-End Fleet Purchases
As your local Albuquerque Ford dealer, we know year-end is the best time to make smart fleet moves—prices reset in January, incentives peak, and Section 179 can improve cash flow. Use these 10 moves to lock pricing, capture eligible Ford Pro offers, and keep your New Mexico fleet working—not waiting.
Ford Pro’s Private Offer Program lets eligible commercial customers claim up to $1,500 per vehicle (limit three) on select 2024–2025 models through January 5, 2026; contact your Chalmers representative and we’ll confirm which incentives can stack with your current programs.
Franchise operators—such as HVAC, pest control, and construction equipment dealer networks—may also qualify for special Ford Pro pricing through the Franchisee Program; give us a call and we’ll verify your eligibility.
Lock in This Year's Pricing
Vehicle prices and incentive structures typically reset in January, sometimes without notice. Lock in your quote before December 31 to secure current pricing and avoid the "January surprise."
Take Advantage of Section 179
This is one of the best opportunities available to business owners right now. Year-end purchases now qualify for accelerated tax savings, including Section 179 and bonus depreciation. That's real ROI before the ball drops.
Talk to your CPA about using Section 179 to deduct up to the full purchase price of qualifying vehicles placed in service before your fiscal year-end. Combined with bonus depreciation, it's a win-win: reduced tax burden and newer, more reliable fleet units.
Note: The information above is provided for general planning purposes only and should not be considered tax advice. Discuss Section 179 and bonus‑depreciation strategies with your qualified CPA to confirm applicability for your organization.
Evaluate In-Stock vs. Custom Orders
Some vehicles you need now. Others you can build to spec.
- In-stock units: Immediate delivery and uptime
- Custom orders: Tailored features with longer lead times
We can reserve build slots now to avoid Q1 delays and ensure your fleet gets what it actually needs.
Coordinate Upfit Timing
Racks, bodies, plows, and lighting can add weeks to delivery. Don't let upfit delays stall your timeline. Our upfit coordination team will align build and install schedules so your vehicles arrive job-ready, not half-ready.
Winter-Ready? Don't Wait to Find Out
In New Mexico's high desert, winter conditions can hit harder than expected — especially for agencies or contractors in the East Mountains.
We can pre-install snowplow prep packages, cold-weather batteries, tires, and more to keep your fleet moving.
Example: We helped a Rio Rancho HVAC contractor reduce delivery delays last winter by pre-installing snow-ready upfits — saving them weeks of downtime.
Prioritize Driver Safety & Accountability
Today's Ford commercial lineup includes standard and optional tech to help reduce risk and simplify oversight:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Telematics and data tools
Fewer accidents = fewer repair bills + less downtime. Let us show you which models deliver both safety and ROI.
Consider Total Cost of Ownership
Fleet budgets go beyond purchase price. Maintenance, fuel, uptime, and resale all play a role.
EVs and hybrids often lower operating costs and may qualify for post-purchase federal or state incentives. We'll help you compare long-term value, not just sticker price.
Plan for Delivery, Registration & Branding
Don't let logistics bottleneck deployment. Staging, graphics, and titling can all take time, especially for larger agencies and fleets.
Let's coordinate now to make sure everything is in place before the holidays, not after.
Keep Uptime High with Mobile Service
When your trucks are parked at a shop, they're not making money. That's why we offer Chalmers Mobile Service, so our certified techs handle light maintenance and repairs right at your lot.
Chalmers doesn't just sell you a truck. We support the full lifecycle: from acquisition to upfit, service to telematics. That's Real Simple.
Less downtime. More uptime. Zero towing.
Ready to Wrap 2025 Right? We're Here to Help.
Whether you’re adding a single work truck or updating your entire municipal fleet, a quick 15-minute conversation with our team can save you weeks of delay and potentially thousands in missed incentives; we’ll help you weigh budget, deployment needs, and tax timing—no pressure, just smart planning. To stay on track, aim to lock your selections by December 15. Email our Fleet Team or calls us at 505-890-2116, browse in-stock fleet vehicles, and schedule fleet service today.
Chalmers Ford Fleet
Real People. Real Value. Real Simple.
Disclaimer: Chalmers Ford does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This document is intended for informational use by fleet and business customers. All tax decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified professional.