DETROIT, June 30 (UPI) -- General Motors Corp.'s program offering vehicles to U.S. buyers at employee prices could lead to similar programs by other automakers.
Brett Clanton, automotive reporter with the Detroit News, told MarketWatch the GM program is proving to be so successful, Chrysler is considering offering a similar promotion -- and GM may extend its own program.
"GM has had such success with this program this month that it's making it real hard for these other players to keep up," said Clanton.
Preliminary June data indicate GM's promotion boosted its sales 20 percent to 30 percent and raised its market share to 30 percent in May from 25.4 percent.
Clanton said the results were so positive for GM, the company will probably extend the program, which is scheduled to expire next Tuesday.
Chrysler has been running its own incentive program but Clanton said that pitch hasn't had the impact that GM's has.
"It really hasn't kind of created the excitement and gotten people to the showrooms the way the GM program has," he said.
Automakers are scheduled to report June sales figures Friday.
