May was not a good sales month for General Motors, and the company decided to solve the problem by throwing money at it.
GM added $500 in "bonus cash" to the rebates on nine mid-sized cars and $500 in bonus cash to the rebates on Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra full-sized pickups.
Also, six sport-utilities added $750 in bonus cash, and another picked up $500.
GM will recoup some of the extra rebate expense through its May 10 price increase. Big pickups went up $275, and most sport-utilities rose $225 to $275.
GM's incentive programs are scheduled to expire July 1.
Several import-badged brands added programs for June or extended their offers through this month.
Toyota added the Tundra pickup ($700) to its rebate list, and the Nissan Maxima has a $1,000 giveback. Volkswagen's 2002 models can be financed at rates from 0 percent to 4.9 percent, and 2001-02 Audis offer 1.9 percent to 4.9 percent loans.
Rebates on 2002 Mitsubishis range from $1,000 to $2,000, and financing starts at 0 percent.
Kia has 0 percent loans for 24 months until July, and rebates are $1,000 to 2,500 until July 31.
Hyundai is paying $500 to $1,500 on the Accent, Elantra and XG350. Financing rates run from 0 percent to 1.9 percent.
The Honda Accord has joined the loan list at 4.9 percent, and BMW offers financing rates at 2.9 percent on the M coupe and roadster and at 6.3 percent on the 3 series, 5 series and 7 series.
