General Motors and Ford Motor Company offered to make car payments for buyers who lose their jobs, according to statements released on Tuesday by the two companies.

The "GM Total Confidence" plan provides up to nine months of payments on vehicle loans or leases if a customer loses his or her job for economic reasons. The plan is available for vehicles purchased April 1 through April 30, 2009.

All Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles are covered under the Ford Advantage Plan, which provides customers with 12 months of payment protection of up to US$700 per month. The program runs from today through June 1.

GM and Ford sales in the US market have plummeted since the economic recession deepened during recent months. Hyundai, which introduced its Hyundai Assurance plan in January, has achieved a moderate increase in US sales.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2009)