DETROIT -- General Motors will continue its employee discount program through Sept. 6 as a way to clear out its 2005 models. The automaker also released its new "total value" pricing plan for 2006 vehicles, reported Automotive News.

GM dealers who received an e-mail notification from the company said the down payment will be reduced by $1,500 for leases on select 2005 Chevrolet models. GM will also provide $1,000 down payment assistance on the lease of a 2005 Equinox, $2,000 on a TrailBlazer and $2,500 on the TrailBlazer EXT. The cost to lease a 2005 Silverado will be cut by $1,300.

In an effort to wean buyers off incentives, GM will reduce incentives and vehicle prices for the 2006 model year, Gorden Smith, president of Steward Management Group in Harper Woods, Mich., told Automotive News.

Rebates on 2006 models include $2,000 off the sticker price of the Silverado and TrailBlazer, $2,500 off the Tahoe and Suburban, $500 off all Cobalt models except the super-sport version, and $500 off the Malibu, the paper reported.