P.M. BRIEFING : GM Matches Chrysler Rebate

The Oldsmobile division of General Motors Corp. announced today a $1,000 rebate on its new Silhouette minivan, with GM’s Pontiac and Chevrolet divisions expected to make similar offers, all in efforts to undermine robust sales of Chrysler Corp.’s models.

Oldsmobile’s offer, which starts Friday, runs until May 2 and includes an alternative of low-rate financing.

The move by GM came after Chrysler placed a $1,000 rebate on its front-drive Caravan, Voyager and Town & Country minivans last December under a program that expired Jan. 31.

Chrysler saw January sales of those already popular models soar 67% from the previous month because of the offer.

However, Chrysler spokesman Tom Jakobowski said Chrysler had no plans at this time to offer another rebate on its minivans.