a little blurb taken from a press release:
Chrysler is prepared to match General Motors Corp.'s nationwide employee-pricing program if the No. 1 automaker extends the successful sales promotion past July 5.
The DaimlerChrysler AG unit on Tuesday told its national dealer council it could implement an employee-pricing program as early as July 6, but would not make a final decision until it determines whether GM will extend its promotion through July, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Chrysler officials would not discuss the dealer meeting, but acknowledged that a special program is needed to make the automaker appear more competitive in the marketplace and counter GM's program, which offers all customers the same discount available to its employees.
"I can tell you that we're looking at everything right now," Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines said. "You've got to give it to GM because they repackaged what they already had and cut through the clutter."
The employee-pricing program has boosted GM's showroom traffic, with some analysts estimating the automaker's June sales will rise 30 percent over June 2004 and that the company's share of the U.S. auto market could rise to 30 percent.
Driven by the GM deals, overall industry new car and truck demand is expected to reach an annualized rate of nearly 18 million units in June. Major automakers report June sales on Friday.
GM's market share has slumped to 25.4 percent this year, producing deep financial losses and forcing the automaker to become more aggressive in the marketplace.
The automaker launched the employee-pricing program in an attempt to clear 1.2 million unsold 2005 vehicles from dealer lots before 2006 models arrive this fall and to win over customers from other vehicle brands.
Under the program, GM allows customers to pay what GM employees pay, which is about 3 to 4 percent below dealer invoice.
