General Motors Corp. said Tuesday it will offer financing as low as zero percent over the next week for several 2008 and 2009 models as the automaker makes a big year-end push to improve sales.

The news comes a day after its troubled lending unit, GMAC Financial Services LLC, agreed to take a $5 billion loan from the Treasury Department. Mark LaNeve, a GM vice president, said GMAC's approval to become a bank holding company and qualify for government funding were crucial steps to affording the new financing offers.

Previously, GMAC was unable to offer such low rates to consumers because its lack of funds, GM said.

"I think it would be fair to say that without this change ... we would not be able to do this today," LaNeve said in a conference call.

GM said it will offer zero-percent financing for up to 60 months on the 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Saab 9-7X sport utility vehicles through GMAC. The Saab 9-3 and 9-5 sedans also qualify for zero-percent financing.

The carmaker is also offering financing between 0.9 percent and 5.9 percent on more than three dozen other 2008 and 2009 models, including many trucks and SUVs. The deal runs through Jan. 5.

Many of the qualifying vehicles have seen big year-over-year sales declines and the automaker is eager to move them out of dealerships. TrailBlazer sales are down 42 percent through November compared with the same period last year. Envoy sales are off 49 percent.