GM,Ford To Offer $50 Gift Cards At Auto Show For Test Drives

   DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

General Motors Corp. (GM) and Ford Motor Co. (F) will offer $50 gift cards to lure New York International Auto Show visitors to test drive a vehicle at a dealership as the auto makers continue offering creative incentives to combat slumping showroom traffic.

Late last month, both GM and Ford outlined new incentive plans that go beyond the cash rebates and financing deals they have traditionally offered. Ford is offering 0% financing through June 1 and will cover payments for up to 12 months on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle if customers lose their jobs. Meanwhile, GM will offer payment protection for the first 24 months of ownership. If a buyer loses his income, the company will make up to nine months' worth of payments for up to $500 a month.

All the big car makers suffered sales declines of 36% or more in March, though some said they've see signs the industry's downturn might be near bottom and a recovery could be starting.

In a statement Wednesday, the auto show's organizers said they hope offering customers $50 to travel to a dealership to actually drive a vehicle might pay dividends.

"Programs like the $50 gift card offered by GM and Ford help continue conversations between auto show visitors and new car dealers," said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

The Ford gift card can be spent anywhere, while the GM card is only good at restaurants.com.

The auto show runs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan through Sunday. Tickets cost $14.

-By Lauren Pollock, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5964; [e-mail]