DETROIT — General Motors is launching a March incentive program to help increase sales of certain Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Saab and Saturn vehicles. The program, called the Spring Sales Event for Chevrolet and Saturn and the Upgrade Event for Buick, Pontiac, will continue through April 3. GM's Cadillac and Hummer brands are not included.

According to GM, consumers will be offered 0 percent financing for as long as 36 months and reduced-rate financing for as long as 72 months on certain vehicles except Saab. It also provides $1,000 in customer cash that can be used with the lower-rate financing.

Saab's program, called "Jet into Spring," provides dealers $750 bonus cash on 2006 and 2007 models invoiced to dealers before Dec. 15.

The program includes most of GM's 2006 and 2007 models. It includes all Pontiac vehicles except the Solstice roadster.

Eligible Chevrolet vehicles are the Cobalt, HHR, Aveo, Malibu and Malibu Maxx cars, Equinox crossover, and Tahoe and Suburban SUVs.

For GMC, the plan applies to the Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali and Denali XL SUVs. The Buick Lucerne and LaCrosse sedans qualify. The plan includes the Saturn Vue crossover, Ion and new Aura sedan.

GM also is including any 2006 and 2007 GMT800 trucks, GMC half-ton extended-cab and heavy-duty pickups, and all new GMT900-series Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-sized pickups. GM's 2007 models are covered under GM's 5-year/100,000- mile powertrain limited warranty.