Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. raised rebates on new cars and trucks last month in a sign Asian automakers are getting more aggressive about engaging U.S. automakers in an ongoing incentive war, according to the Detroit News.

Still, American car companies continue to outpace foreign rivals and lead the way, spending an average of $3,744 on rebates per vehicle in June, or $89 higher than in May, the News said.

But Asian manufacturers increased incentive

spending by $114 from May levels, to $1,311, according to Autodata Corp.

Industry new car and truck demand is off 1.8 percent this year and automakers have been forced to offer fatter deals to stimulate demand

and reduce growing stockpiles of unsold cars, according to the News.

While U.S. automakers are putting the most money on the hoods of their products, Japanese

automakers Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. have quietly begun fortifying their marketing arsenals.

Industrywide, incentive spending averaged $2,867 in June, $143 higher than in May, accorfding to the News.

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