Credit unions in Vicksburg expect to be among 2,500 in the Midwest and South pledging $22 billion in low-cost auto loans and joining with Chrysler to offer rebates to boost sales.

Under the credit unions’ “Invest in America” program, those in the market for a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle will be eligible for rebates of $500 or $1,000 on nearly all Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles financed through the unions until June 30. Credit unions in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana and New Mexico have set aside $12 billion and are now participating, while $10 billion was set aside last week in a similar discount program on General Motors vehicles by 1,200 credit unions in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

While initial details gathered by the Mississippi Credit Union Association do not specify whether the incentives extend to pre-owned vehicles, participation by its 93 member credit unions is forthcoming, said corporate relations manager Amy Manley.

Locally, calls to Mutual Credit Union, Vicksburg Railroad Credit Union and Vickswood Credit Union have come in from Chrysler dealers touting the program’s chances of boosting sales in one of the financially ailing “Big Three” automakers.

“We certainly hope so,” Mutual Credit Union president Charles Mullins said. “We want to be a part of something that helps our members and spur activity locally.”

Vicksburg Railroad Credit Union manager Flo Cooper said Blackburn Motor Company, whose Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership is the area’s lone dealer of the automaker’s vehicles, has contacted its office this week discussing the program.

“We certainly expect we’ll be participating,” Cooper said.

Financing has been difficult to obtain in the troubled economy. Falling sales at Chrysler, GM and Ford Motor Co. have compounded the most difficult year to date for them collectively.

Sales at Chrysler are down 28 percent for the first 11 months of the year. GM sales are down 22 percent for the same period, while Ford volumes are off 20 percent.

“The overall industry is obviously having a big impact on every manufacturer’s sales, so we continue to compete as aggressively as we can in that environment,” Ed Broadbear, director of incentives and programs at Chrysler, told The Associated Press in a conference call Tuesday. “Affordable point-of-purchase financing is critical for auto sales, and credit unions have money to lend.”

Dave Adams, president of the Michigan Credit Union League, said the credit unions are in talks to partner with Ford to offer similar discounts. While the $22 million the credit unions have pledged is available to purchase any vehicle, the unions do not plan to partner with overseas automakers to offer discounts, he said.

“Our focus right now is on providing a much-needed boost for domestic auto companies,” Adams said.

Credit unions are different from banks in that they are not-for-profit cooperatives. Therefore, they are able to offer loans at lower rates than conventional banks, Adams said, and to customers who might not qualify for loans elsewhere.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.