For the second quarter, GM and Ford have announced cuts to production plans, while Chrysler has rolled out a new program of sales incentives.

Analysts expect industry-wide 2008 U.S. auto sales to extend a downturn that accelerated in the second half of last year, reflecting the slumping housing market, higher gas prices and tighter credit.

(Additional reporting by Christiaan Hetzner; Editing by Jason Neely)