Chrysler offers $1,000 incentives through Jan. 2

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group is offering $1,000 incentives for the purchase or lease of most of its 2006- and 2007-model vehicles through Jan. 2.

Chrysler is mailing the incentive offers to 3.4 million people. The offer is in addition to existing incentives on Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.

"This is the largest mailing we've ever done," Chrysler spokesman Kevin McCormick told the Detroit Free Press. "The mailing is being sent to customers who've previously bought from Chrysler or who have identified themselves as potential customers."

Chrysler inventories rose this year when high gas prices shifted demand to cars from the pickups and sport utility vehicles on which Chrysler depends.

The offer does not apply to the 2007 Chrysler Sebring sedan, Dodge Viper sports car, Dodge Nitro and Jeep Wrangler SUVs or Jeep Patriot, or to the 2006 and 2007 Grand Cherokee SRT-8, The Detroit News said.