Pleasing Auto Leases

Wall

Street Journal

Head's

up:

If you're a doctor in the market for anew car who's considering leasing,there's good news. Due to sluggish automotivesales in recent years, several automakers are modifying their leasingarrangements. In an attempt to regainthe attention of American drivers, whohave increasingly turned to Asian brandsover the past few years, car makersDaimlerChrysler Corp, Ford Motor Co,General Motors Corp, Mercedes-BenzCredit, and Toyota Motor Credit aresweetening the deal for consumers interestedin leasing. For example, the reports that in April,General Motors unveiled their "FreedomLease"pilot program, which allowscustomers to return their cars for anyreason within the first 12,000 mileswithout incurring any penalties exceptthe loss of their down payment. Don't get too excited about the newleasing arrangements available just yet;right now manufacturers are focusing onspecific regions in the country and specificcars, especially when it comes to themore lucrative deals.