Chrysler February incentives hit record

Edmunds.com estimates Chrysler spent an average of $5,556 on incentives last month, a new record for the automaker. That figure represents a $2,046 increase over last February and a $1,265 jump from January 2009. It’s also about $2,000 more than the amounts spent by Ford and General Motors.

The highest incentives were offered on Chrysler brand vehicles, followed by those on Dodge cars and trucks.

Edmunds says the average U.S. incentive was $2,914 per vehicle sold in February 2009, up $216, or 8.0 percent, from January 2009, and up $400, or 15.9 percent, from February 2008. Domestic manufacturers averaged $3,991 per vehicle sold in February 2009, up from $3,518 in January 2009. From January 2009 to February 2009, European automakers increased incentives spending by $67 to $3,150 per vehicle sold; Japanese automakers decreased incentives spending by $77 to $1,698 per vehicle sold; and Korean automakers increased incentives spending by $102 to $3,031 per vehicle sold.