GM boosts profit-sapping pickup discounts as rivals gain

Southfield, Michigan

GENERAL Motors Co boosted incentives on its pickup models last month after its biggest foes gained ground, intensifying a price war within the US car market's most hotly contested segment. Discounts averaged about US$6,996 for the Chevrolet Silverado and US$5,315 for the GMC Sierra last month through Feb 12, according to JD Power dealer data obtained by Bloomberg News.

Incentives on GM's models surged 56 per cent and 82 per cent, respectively, from a year earlier as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Ford Motor Co dialled back their spending, according to the researcher.