With auto sales in a deep slump, manufacturers have loaded so many incentives on their vehicles they may need more horsepower to haul them around. A year ago, you would have been hard-pressed to find a single incentive on a subcompact or a hybrid vehicle. Automakers were content to let the vehicle’s fuel efficiency or the appeal of its new technology drive sales. Today, however, there are cash and financing incentives on hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Camry, and the Chevrolet Malibu, although their availability may vary from region to region. The same is true for gas misers like the Toyota Yaris, the Chevrolet Aveo, the Pontiac G5 and the Ford Focus. By contrast, pickup truck incentives aren’t as high as they were a year ago. After soaring gas prices of mid-2008, domestic and Japanese automakers have slashed production, reducing the need for rebates of $4,000 to $6,000. The lesson of these measures ought to be clear to consumers: The best deals may not be around forever. So if you see a great incentive on the compact car, family car, crossover, pickup or luxury car you have been eyeing, it might be a good idea to take the plunge and buy it.

See a Deal on a Specific Car Below or View the Gallery: 20 Great March Deals

Editor’s Pick: 2009 Ford F-150

In the old days, the redesigned F-150 would have qualified as the kind of hot new product that didn’t need much in the way of incentives. But today shoppers can look forward to several thousand dollars in rebates or low-rate financing (sometimes combined with a cash rebate) as their personal “stimulus package.” The new F-150’s incentives are actually bigger than those for some older pickup models. Customers choosing Ford’s contender get a rugged full-size truck designed for the world of work and outdoor recreation. At 19 mpg highway, it certainly doesn’t have fuel economy suited to our era of diminished expectations, but its all-around capability makes it the perfect vehicle for people wanting to stop sitting around and complaining and get out and finally do something. You have your choice of three V8s (a 2-valve 4.6-liter V8 matched with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and a 3-valve 4.6-liter or 5.4-liter V8 mated to a new 6-speed automatic transmission) and a nearly limitless combination of trim, configuration and equipment. There is little minimalist about its plush interior or available amenities either. For example, it offers the SYNC voice-activated mobile phone and digital music system, a trailer brake controller, and a remote starter system as options.

Please Note: These deals only apply to the month listed above.

source:  AOL News, today