• June 4, 2010

Edmunds.com says automakers spend a little bit less in May on incentives than in April. The firm says average automotive manufacturer incentive in the U.S. was $2,603 per vehicle sold in May, down $28, or 1.1%, from April 2010, and down $340, or 11.6%, from May 2009.

"Inventory levels are relatively low, so many automakers have cut back on incentives," stated Jessica Caldwell, director of industry analysis for Edmunds.com, in a release. According to Edmunds.com, combined incentives spending for domestic manufacturers averaged $3,366 per vehicle sold in May -- up from $3,298 in April.

Among vehicle segments, large trucks had the highest average incentives -- at $4,650 per vehicle sold, per Edmunds. Next was premium sport cars, at $3,892 on average. Sport cars had the lowest average incentives per vehicle sold -- $1,263 -- followed by subcompact cars at $1,296.

Comparing all brands, in May Scion spent the least -- at $457 -- followed by Subaru at $667 per vehicle sold, per Edmunds. Saab spent the most, at $6,813, followed by Lincoln at $4,987 per vehicle sold.