Consumers could see attractive deals on nearly all vehicles through next year. Research firm J.D. Power & Associates expects automakers to sell 13.6 million light-duty cars and trucks this year, down 16 percent from a year ago.

Manufacturers had generally pulled back on incentives for smaller vehicles this year, after record-high gas prices spiked demand. And the discounts still aren’t as juicy or widespread as those on fuel-thirsty sport-utility vehicles, or even car-based crossovers.

But customers can now get good deals — including cash-back offers, low-interest-rate financing and lease specials — on some best-selling cars. And they have newfound leverage when negotiating with dealers, many of whom are desperate to move vehicles off their lots.

Even as I was typing this post I saw a television ad announcing that Mercedes-Benz Dealers are offering lease deals on many of its cars.