DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler unit, the third-biggest U.S. automaker, is adding $500 to rebates on its Ram pickup trucks in some regions of the United States, matching increases by larger rivals, according to Bloomberg News.

The increase, in the Southeast, the Southwest and the Denver area, puts rebates at $2,500 for lighter-duty Rams and $1,500 for heavy-duty versions, spokesman Marc Henretta said, according to Bloomberg.

Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. on Jan. 23 added $500 to rebates on large pickups, putting those offers at $2,500 on the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra models.

The Dodge Ram last year picked up U.S. sales and market share after a redesign in late 2001.

Sales rose 15 percent last year as the Ford F-Series fell 11 percent, Silverado slid 9 percent and Sierra dropped 4 percent, according to Autodata Corp. The Ram's share of U.S. sales rose to 2.4 percent from 2 percent.

"Chrysler is following General Motors at a safe distance on these rebates but the competition is increasing in pickups as Ford gets ready for a new F-150," said Burnham Securities Inc. analyst David Healy, who owns Ford shares and doesn't rate the automaker stocks, according to Bloomberg News.