The Chrysler arm of DaimlerChrysler AG has raised rebates on its trucks, matching offers from General Motors amid what a Chrysler executive described on June 20 as soft U.S. industry sales this month, according to a Reuters report.

GM boosted rebates on many of its pickups and sport utility vehicles earlier this month after industry sales fell 6 percent in May to their slowest pace in 3-1/2 years.

While many industry executives and analysts called the results a temporary blip, some said another weak month could raise doubts about the strength of the industry and the U.S. economy.

Jim Schroer, Chrysler's executive vice president of global sales and marketing, said the company had added $500 to existing rebates of up to $2,500 on many of its pickups and SUVs. The new cash offers are good for the final two weeks of June and is in response to GM's moves, Schroer said, according to Reuters.

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