What a joke. After saying that incentives were virtually a thing of the past, execs at the Detroit 3 are once again seeing the writing on the financial wall.

Detroit's automakers, stung by nearly two straight years of slumping U.S. auto sales, are set to cough up richer, more inventive deals this year as they try to woo weary consumers back into showrooms. As much as the Big Three want to avoid profit-eating discounts, executives at the companies say incentives - used well and tactically - will be a critical part of surviving 2008. The automakers aren't looking to return to their notorious practices, when they propped up sales by piling cash on the hoods of cars and trucks nobody wanted in a bid to maintain market share.

Look back to day's gone yore for a incentive panic as the year progresses.