With only two days left to reach 2003 sales goals, most automakers have boosted deals. And some are channeling discounts through dealers instead of directly to consumers, according to USA Today.

General Motors Corp. and its dealers are pushing incentives to get close to the 28.6 percent market share GM had at the end of 2002. GM's share was 28.1 percent on Nov. 30. Chrysler Group, Ford Motor and some Asian imports also have

raised incentives, USA Today said.

Auto sales will be about 17 million this year, auto executives say, about 600,000 ahead of estimates made before the invasion of Iraq. Better-than-expected results are largely due to

increased discounting, which has made up for consumer skittishness, according to the national newspaper.

GM is giving an extra $1,000 a vehicle to dealers who surpass their November sales levels in December. That's money dealers often pass on to

customers. Chrysler is offering up to $5,000 in cash or zero percent financing for six years on its minivans, and is also giving dealers an extra $500 a vehicle if they beat last December's sales levels, according to USA Today.

Dealers can choose to advertise a bigger rebate to draw customers or keep it in reserve to help close deals with wavering buyers. "Everybody is anxious to deal in that last week, so I expect to go fast and furious as long as the weather cooperates," said Chevrolet chief Brent Dewar.

National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Chief Economist Dr. Paul Taylor pointed out that light vehicle sales in December would have been more robust if snow and ice from Virginia through Maine had not interfered with sales in the first

two weeks of December. Despite that slowdown, sales are on track to reach NADA's final sales estimate of 16.6 million units for the year, Taylor said.

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