Car-sale gains dip in April

DETROIT - Car shoppers took a wait-and-see approach in April, easing up on purchases as the lure of big incentives faded and hoping summer brings a new flurry of deals.

Automakers will have to match incentives from Toyota Motor Corp. at least through Memorial Day. Toyota said Monday it will continue to offer zero-percent financing and two years of free maintenance on certain vehicles through June 1. It is also offering unprecedented deals on its Lexus luxury brand.

The industry stayed on the road to recovery in April after last year's dismal numbers, with most major automakers seeing double-digit sales gains. But sales were down from March, when Toyota launched record-high incentives to lure buyers after a series of safety recalls.

Ford Motor Co. saw last month's sales rise 24.9 percent from a year earlier, while General Motors Co. climbed 6.4 percent. Sales for Toyota Motor Corp. rose 24.4 percent, but that was far slower than the year-over-year jump of 41 percent in March. Even Chrysler, which has struggled much of the year, reported a 24.8 percent sales increase, while Honda, Hyundai, Subaru and others also continued to see gains.

Honda spent a record $1,787 per vehicle on incentives, while Toyota spent $2,498, down $245 from record-high levels in March. GM spent $3,273 per vehicle, although that was skewed by high incentives on the brands it is discontinuing. - AP