In what it says is an effort to stay competitive, Chrysler is offering rebates of up to $2,500 on select 2002 vehicles.

The program, which follows similar incentives offered by Ford and General Motors, runs through Feb. 28.

GM is offering $2,002 cash back on most 2002 models and Ford is giving buyers up to $2,500.

Chrysler has been trying to hold marketing costs down with a complicated mix of rebates and cheap financing that varied by vehicle and where the buyer lived. But Chrysler's sales have fallen as its rivals offered more aggressive and uniform rebate programs.

"Because of some of the huge dollar amounts our competitors are offering ... we want to keep our dealers competitive," said spokesman Marc Henretta for Chrysler, a division of DaimlerChrysler AG.

Rebates of $2,500 or reduced financing are available on Dodge and Chrysler minivans, excluding the eC, eL and eX models; the Jeep

Grand Cherokee, excluding the Sport model; and the Dodge Durango.

The reduced financing ranges from zero percent to 4.9 percent, according to Henretta.

Rebates of $1,500 are available on the rest of Chrysler Group's lineup of cars, trucks and

sport utility vehicles, except the Dodge Intrepid, with $2,000 rebates, and the Jeep Wrangler, with $500 rebates.

The previously announced seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on all Chrysler Group vehicles remains in effect until March 31 but the latest incentive program runs only until Feb. 28.

Not included in the national rebate portion of the program are two of Chrysler's most popular vehicles, the Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Jeep Liberty.