Article: Big 3 stickers barely rise for '03 model year; Many incentives, less standard equipment.(Brief Article)

The Big 3 are adopting a double-barreled pricing strategy for the 2003 model year.

Increases in sticker prices will be minimal, probably less than 1 percent.

But some standard equipment has been removed, which means bringing a new car up to 2002 standard equipment levels in many cases will jack up the price.

And incentives will remain high. Just about everything the makers do in pricing these days is linked to recouping some of the hefty rebates they must offer to move the iron.

As for the small boost in stickers, remember that intro prices are only the opening chapter in the 2003 price story.

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