Ford Halts No-Interest Financing Program

Ford Motor Co. joined General Motors Corp. in backing away from no-interest loans on new cars and trucks as auto makers try to balance the use of incentives to increase sales while boosting profit.

Ford raised some cash discounts by $500 to $3,000, matching a level set by GM two days earlier.

Alone among the American Big Three, DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group said it planned to continue to offer no-interest financing on some vehicles.

Ford shares fell 24 cents to $16.10 on the NYSE.