Chrysler Boosts Incentives on Dozen Models

DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler unit increased incentives on about a dozen models of cars, trucks and minivans to spur demand after the company’s January sales fell 16%. The auto maker is offering $1,500 cash back on Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango sport-utility vehicles, all of its minivans and its Ram pickup truck. Sebring and Stratus cars will carry cash incentives of $1,000, and buyers of the Dakota pickup truck will get $2,000. Chrysler said the new incentives are designed to match, not exceed, incentives offered by its rivals. Chrysler blamed higher-than-expected incentives for the U.S. unit’s loss of about $1.76 billion last year. DaimlerChrylser shares closed up 83 cents at $49.20 on the New York Stock Exchange.