Summer 2006: Return of the Incentive Wars?

General Motors is planning to roll out a zero-percent, six-year financing program for most 2006 models as soon as next week, reports The Detroit Free Press.

The incentive program would come amid Chrysler Group's plan to launch a new employee pricing program beginning July 1. Earlier this month, Ford Motor Co. launched a program on most of its 2006 models to provide no-interest loans and $1,000 gas cards.

Similar incentives were introduced by the domestic automakers last summer. Some analysts criticized the incentives for eating into profits, pulling ahead sales and creating an environment in which customers expect major discounts