Ford Motor Company and Chrysler are offering North American buyers discounts on their latest models.

Savings are being offered on the 2009 versions of the Ford F-150 and Chrysler’s Dodge Ram, according to the Financial Times.

However, the trucks are being launched at a difficult time as the U.S housing slump has cut demand from building contractors and tradesmen.

The paper says F-series sales in September were 39% lower than a year earlier.

Ram sales were down 28%.

Capacity is currently outstripping demand, hence the carmakers’ attractive deals.