Mitsubishi May Extend Free Gas Incentive in U.S.

TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. may extend its free gasoline incentive to 2006 model-year vehicles in addition to 2005 models, Automotive News reported.

The automaker had previously announced a program to offer U.S. consumers one year’s worth of free gasoline with the purchase of a 2005 model-year vehicle. According to Osamu Masuko, president of Mitsubishi, the fuel incentive is less expensive than traditional rebates and discounts.

A senior executive told Automotive News that Mitsubishi’s U.S. sales would likely rise for the second consecutive month in September after announcing the sales incentive program.