Every month so far in 2008, we've brought you a report of plummeting auto sales, followed quickly by a report of new incentives trying to lure you back into the dealership.  April's plummeting auto sales report came five days ago.  Yet, so far, we haven't told you about any newly discounted cars.  What's going on?                            

Automakers haven't announced price drops after dismal April sales reports.  We've been looking for them.  They just aren't there.

Chrysler has offered an interesting attempt to guarantee cheap gas that may not be as good as advertised.  But even Chrysler has resisted big public announcements of price discounts, instead quietly lowering prices -- in some cases, to shocking levels.

Kicking Tires reports, "GM dealers are clamoring for more incentives to sell their load of trucks, but the Detroit automaker seems a little less willing to take Chrysler's must-sell-now approach."

Reuters reports that dealers are concerned about the trend.  Earl Hesterberg is chairman of Group 1 Automotive Inc, the fourth-largest dealership network in America.  Hesterberg told Reuters "General Motors Corp needs to increase incentives on slow-selling trucks to clear inventory."  Ford, he said, has "been aggressive" in its incentive offers this year. "They've been the best of the Big Three," he said, and in turn, have accounted for twice as many sales on his lots as GM this year.  A GM spokesman "declined to comment on Hesterberg's remarks," but the automaker "has said it will not resort to deep discounting in the current slump but will look to cut production of slow-selling vehicles instead."

There are still some good deals to be found.  Kiplinger's reports, "You can get at least $1,000 back on a range of new vehicles, including the Lincoln MKX, Saturn Aura and Toyota Camry Hybrid. Even the 2009 Dodge Journey, a brand-new midsize crossover, is selling with $1,000 cash back." 

But those are the same deals automakers announced after March sales reports.  So far, for April, we've seen almost nothing.  Perhaps they're near rock bottom, and simply can't discount cars any further?  Except, of course, for those hot-selling small fuel-sippers.  Automakers are raising prices on those.

Research the best deals in every class with U.S. News' car rankings and reviews.

Find this story interesting? If so, please click "Buzz up" to let us know.