In a quest to keep customers coming in the door and cars driving off the lot, General Motors is throwing in some enticing incentives.

"We know that GM wants to, needs to keep the economy going and keep the vehicle sales up," said Jeff Crippen, Owner of Crippen Auto Mall.

GM's new Total Confidence Plan offers payment protection for the first 24 months of ownership, shells out up to 9 payments of $500/month for customers out of a job and gives a fully backed 5 year 100,000 mile Powertrain warranty to top it off.

"The consumer is looking for that additional edge to say that now is the good time to buy a car and maybe today I wouldn't normally buy it, but with the programs that are out from the manufacturer it makes sense to buy a vehicle or lease a vehicle today," Crippen said.

Crippen says their sales in March nearly doubled from February with their current incentives that expire in March, and the new deals will rev up their return even more.

"So, we just anticipate that, that will continue to do a great job as its done this last month," Crippen said.

Ford is also kicking of their Ford Advantage Plan, offering to pay up to $700/month on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury for customers in the unemployment line, as well as 0% percent financing on select Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicles.

"I really think that it's going to add piece of mind, especially to our area, the Lansing mid-Michigan area, for those Ford buyers out there in these tough economic times," said Mike Rutherford Owner of Central Ford Truck

Rutherford says giving the jobless a break from their payments is the very jump-start they need to keep buying.

"With the layoffs and everything that are going on right now, that $700 a month is what most people's payments are consumed by, it's really going to allow them to come in the showrooms and feel confident about buying once again," Rutherford said.

For details and qualification information on both incentives visit gmconfidence.com or fordspecialevent.com