General Motors wants to whittle its four-month supply of pickup trucks to less than three months by year end and stretched its October truck month promotion into September to do it.
Right after Labor Day, dealers began trumpeting as much as $3,500 in customer cash -- $4,500 for buyers who are trading in vehicles -- on most 2012 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models. And GM is dangling as much as $1,500 per pickup to dealers who can blow past their sales target for both 2012 and 2013 pickups under a GM stair-step program.
Ford, Ram and Toyota are also clearing out 2012 pickup inventories and are in no mood to cede market share.
Ford is offering customers between $1,500 and $3,000 on the 2012 F-series pickup, depending on engine and trim level. Chrysler is offering up to $3,500 cash on many 2012 Rams. Through Oct. 1, Toyota is offering up to $3,500 cash back on certain 2012 Tundras.
