Auto Sales Steady

Although reports are coming in thatautomakers might start cutting intoincentives as the economy warms up, carbuyers are still looking at some good bargains.That, along with the availability ofcheap credit and the Bush tax cuts, whichare putting more cash into consumers'wallets, are helping to keep car salesrolling along at a steady pace. Boosted bythe tax cuts, real income went up 4.5% in2002, which has helped auto sales, and0% financing has made buying a new caractually a tad cheaper than it was lastyear. Sales this year are expected to reacha healthy 16.3 million new vehicles, althoughthat's slightly behind the torridpace of 2002, when 16.8 million vehiclesmoved off dealer lots.