Several automakers have rolled out incentive programs that pay dealers escalating bonuses as sales targets are hit in a bid to wrest back market share or boost key models.
So-called stair-step programs are returning after being scaled way back over the past year, dealers say. Instead of dumping cash on the hood in the form of customer incentives, which are up just slightly from last year, automakers --- especially Honda and General Motors --- are dangling carrots in front of dealers in hopes of lifting sales by getting them to chase tiered sales targets.
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