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Good Times
05-06-2008, 11:40 AM
Chrysler is making a bold move to entice new perspective owners to buy one of their vehicles by guaranteeing gas prices at $2.99 for three years! Once you purchase one of their qualified vehicle(s), you'll receive a "gas card" that can be used anywhere. The credit card will be billed at $2.99 a gallon for either regular gas, E85 or diesel fuel. The remaining difference will be paid by Chrysler!

This is a very big and bold move on their part. Definitely interesting considering it's for THREE years! Man if Toyota did this I'd be pretty happy :) But then again they're kickin butt so much that they don't. boooooo :chair:

Now will this stimulate you to buy a Chrysler?



PRESS RELEASE

Chrysler LLC Delivers Economic Stimulus; Protects Consumers from Rising Gas Prices for Three Years


"Let's Refuel America" available throughout the U.S. exclusively at Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008 Three-year price protection from volatile gas prices available on compact, mid-size and full-size models, minivans, crossovers and pickup truck models

Seventy-six percent of customers cite rising gas prices as "top concern" Auburn Hills, Mich. - In response to direct customer feedback citing the prospect of rising gas prices as a top concern, Chrysler LLC today announces its own economic stimulus package: an exclusive gas price protection policy that eliminates the risk of further spikes in fuel prices. With the U.S. purchase of eligible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, customers can enroll in the "Let's Refuel America" program and receive a gas card that immediately lowers their gas price to $2.99 a gallon, and keeps it there for three years. The offer is available at 3,521 U.S. Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008, and is available on vehicles ranging from popular new compacts, crossovers and minivans to full-size diesel-powered pickup trucks.

"Today we are proud to introduce an unprecedented program to help put customers' minds at ease and do something to help working people who are worried about the volatility of fuel prices and vehicle cost of ownership," said Jim Press, Vice-Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC. "The Let's Refuel America Price Guarantee puts money in your pocket today, and allows our customers to better manage their fuel expenses. And you can't get it anywhere else besides a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealership."

The Let's Refuel America program offers consumers a combination of the fuel price protection program and additional bonus cash up to $3,000 on available vehicles, including Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Charger, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Dakota and Dodge Ram.

Consumer Economic Solutions

Chrysler has a number of solutions to help our customers during these tough economic times. "Chrysler is committed to providing the best value, and the least worries, for our customers," said Press. Chrysler's lineup includes five models for under $20,000 that get 28 miles-per-gallon or better on the highway. To protect consumers from unexpected repair costs in the future, Chrysler models come with the industry's best powertrain warranty, covering the original owner for the life of the vehicle. And Chrysler has made a number of its most popular options standard on its New Day Package vehicles.

Fuel Economy Solutions

Chrysler currently offers six models that get better than 28 miles-per-gallon on the highway: Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Dodge Avenger, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot and Dodge Caliber. Through April, the six of these models combined have higher sales than in the first four months of 2007. The recently-launched 2009 Dodge Journey comes with an available 173-hp four cylinder engine, helping it achieve best in class fuel economy.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel 3.0-liter engine provides a class-leading driving range of approximately 450 miles and gets an estimated fuel economy of 18 miles/city and 23 miles/highway for 4x2 models and 17 miles/city and 22 miles/highway for 4x4 models. Outside of North America where fuel-saving diesel engines are in higher demand, Chrysler offers 17 models with diesel powertrains.

This fall, Chrysler will launch in the United States, two new hybrid SUVs, the Dodge Durango Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, boasting a fuel economy improvement of more than 25 percent overall, and 40 percent in the city. In 2010, the Dodge Ram Hybrid will reach the market. Chrysler is currently in the midst of a $3 billion powertrain investment offensive to develop new fuel-efficient powertrains and axles for our next-generation models.

Chrysler supports the federal government's new dramatically increased CAFE fuel economy standards, which will increase fuel efficiency by an average of 40 percent by 2020. Recently, Chrysler joined the US Climate Action Partnership, working to find solutions to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Customer Advisory Board

In February, Chrysler created the industry's first Customer Advisory Board to encourage a direct dialogue with customers and gather insight and feedback. A recent Advisory Board survey generated the following results: 76 percent of the community is "very concerned" or "extremely concerned" about fuel prices. 83 percent of the community responded that fuel prices will affect their summer vacation plans. (Note: the poll shows that 19 percent responded "extremely", 22 percent responded "very much", 30 percent responded "somewhat", and 12 percent responded slightly, 17 percent responded that it won't affect their plans.)

Program Description

The Let's Refuel America gas card program works when a customer purchases a new and unused Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle and selects the program in lieu of other available incentives. The customer is provided with the registration process documentation and registers providing their required personal information via the dedicated web site or toll-free 800 number. Once registered, the customer receives their gas card and separately, their Personal Identification Number (PIN) within 4 to 6 weeks of application. The customer then swipes their Let's Refuel America Gas Card at an eligible gas station, selecting up to 87 octane regular, E85 fuel or diesel fuel, and enters their PIN to begin the fueling process. After the fuel transaction occurs, the customer's personal credit card (identified in the registration process) is charged $2.99 per gallon.

Let's Refuel America Eligibility

The following vehicles are eligible for the Let's Refuel America program:
Small/Compact Car
Dodge Caliber, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
Mid-size Car
Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler Sebring Convertible
Large Car
Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum
Crossover
Dodge Journey
Minivan
Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country
Compact SUV
Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass
Mid-size SUV
Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty
Large SUV
Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen
Pickup Truck
Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram, Dodge Ram HD
The following vehicles are not eligible for the Let's Refuel America program:
All SRT models, Dodge Viper, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Ram Chassis Cab,
Chrysler Crossfire, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Sprinter.
Select Program Offer
$2.99 guaranteed fuel card for up to 3 years

Offer valid with up to 87 octane regular unleaded fuel, E85 fuel or diesel fuel only, depending upon purchased vehicle*
Yearly allotment of gallons provided
Annual gallon allotment ends each year on 7/31 (first year ends 7/31/09)
Enroll
Easily register via a dedicated web site or by calling designated 1-800
number
Personalized Let's Refuel America Gas Card arrives within 4-6 weeks of
receipt of application
Use & Save
Use the Let's Refuel America Gas Card like any credit card – just swipe
and type in your PIN to use

Check account transactions online

* If mid-grade or premium unleaded fuel is purchased, the customer will be billed for the $2.99 plus $.15 per gallon for mid-grade (88-89 octane) or plus $.30 for premium (90-94 octane). All other grades of fuel higher than 94 octane are not covered under this program and the full pump price will be billed through to the customer plus a $2 service fee per transaction with no gallon usage penalty. If customer purchases unleaded gas (including E85) on a diesel card, or diesel fuel on an unleaded gas card, the customer will be billed the full pump price plus $2 service fee per transaction with no gallon usage penalty

paddlenbike
05-06-2008, 11:54 AM
If Chrysler Corporation can stay in business long enough to keep this program running for three years, this appears to be a very good deal!

Seanz0rz
05-06-2008, 11:56 AM
3 dollar a gas or not, you would still be buying a Chrysler, esp at a time when they are very VERY close to going belly up like my gold fish when i was 5. gold fish vacation my ass...

several reasons NOT to buy a pentistar product:
shotty build quality and reliability (this has always been a problem)
horrid interiors (have you seen the new challenger? 40k car with a 5 dollar pic-n-save interior)
dismal styling (besides the challenger, they dont make a car i could ever think was pretty or beautiful or handsome)

honestly, i dont see how Chrysler plans to stay in business, even without shelling out about 1.50 for each gallon of fuel their vehicles use. they were in a pretty poor position, and i dont see this helping. id like to see the marginal cost/benefit analysis of this plan, and find the guy who did it. this might be the final blow to an automaker that has been dieing since the early 80's

mastacox
05-06-2008, 11:56 AM
That's pretty sweet! Too bad you have to buy a Chrysler to get it...

Good Times
05-06-2008, 12:00 PM
I should have added another question at the same time when I made this thread.

Will others follow suit? i.e. GM, Ford etc

I know Toyota and Honda won't because they don't have to but some other mfg's may think about this advertising idea to boost their sales. regardless of who the mfg is it's definitely an interesting marketing idea.

Seanz0rz
05-06-2008, 12:12 PM
GM wont, they are #2/#1 and doing just fine.

ford, doubtful, i think they have good sense and know the only way to truly get people to buy your product is make a good product, at a fair price, with some gizmos (sync) and you will sell millions of cars that way. increase quality, customer service, and have some designs that please, or at the very least, controversial (any buzz is good buzz)

i honestly think this "free gas" thing is a desperate attempt to bolster sales, but at the same time is going to cost them buckets of cash that they simply dont have. this money has to come from somewhere, so cars are going to be more expensive, service costs higher, etc. they are already built down to a price, and now that price just got lower...

i honestly cant think of a Chrysler car i would like to own since the early 70's.

DHC6twinotter
05-06-2008, 12:25 PM
Only Chrysler product I would ever buy would be a Dodge Ram with a CTD and a 6spd or one of those Sprinters, if I ever needed one. Otherwise, their interiors have gone down hill...nothing but plastic, plastic, and more plastic. Charger and Challenger look cool though.

Cebby
05-06-2008, 12:26 PM
$2.99 for diesel is a steal. It's over $4 here already.

I liken this program to the once unheard of 0% financing. It's marketing 101 and will help get those folks that are on the fence between Chrysler and another American brand.

Keep in mind that a vast segment of the population still only looks at GM, Ford and Chrysler for their choices. This incentive may be enough to sway some unsure buyers.

My question is this: Once they give you this gas card, what's to stop you from using it on all of your cars? Is there a gallon limit per year?

I'd bet this would also be a nice incentive for fleet sales as well.

DHC6twinotter
05-06-2008, 12:35 PM
I'd bet this would also be a nice incentive for fleet sales as well.


Yeah, that is a good point. It's similar to Southwest airlines. They are one of the few airlines that have been able to make a consistent profit, partly due to fuel hedging. They purchased large amounts of fuel in advance at a cheaper rate, and now have much lower fuel costs than other airlines.

Good Times
05-06-2008, 12:59 PM
$2.99 for diesel is a steal. It's over $4 here already.

I liken this program to the once unheard of 0% financing. It's marketing 101 and will help get those folks that are on the fence between Chrysler and another American brand.

Keep in mind that a vast segment of the population still only looks at GM, Ford and Chrysler for their choices. This incentive may be enough to sway some unsure buyers.

My question is this: Once they give you this gas card, what's to stop you from using it on all of your cars? Is there a gallon limit per year?

I'd bet this would also be a nice incentive for fleet sales as well.


Mike you bring up some great points! Actually I'm curious as to if they limit the gallon consumption per year. Would make for some rather shady actions.

fustercluck
05-06-2008, 06:46 PM
The cost will be passed onto the customer regardless. When will we learn that corporations do not pay for taxes/tax hikes, fines, judgements or incentive programs? The cost is ALWAYS passed on to the consumer.

When shameless politicians boast about nailing big-fill in the blank here-, they conveniently neglect to mention that the cost will be yours to pay eventually. So politicians leverage our abject greed, envy, avarice, covetousness and even jealousy, to gain political points and tax revenue from our pockets with one hand, while pointing the blame at the corporations. Nice.

Good Times
05-06-2008, 07:32 PM
Welp it looks like Suzuki is jumping the same bandwagon. They're taking a slightly different approach by offering free fuel for three months.

At the end of the day the savings is really no different to cash-back rebates etc. Sadly the buyers won't realize this due to the "greed" that fuster brings up. Gotta give it up to good marketing!

corax
05-06-2008, 09:32 PM
If it wasn't for depreciation driving off the dealer lot and horrible resale values, I'd be tempted to buy one for 3 months and turn it back in. It's a shame Suzuki can't make a vehicle like they can a bike or ATV . . .

mastacox
05-07-2008, 07:14 AM
The cost will be passed onto the customer regardless. When will we learn that corporations do not pay for taxes/tax hikes, fines, judgements or incentive programs? The cost is ALWAYS passed on to the consumer.

When shameless politicians boast about nailing big-fill in the blank here-, they conveniently neglect to mention that the cost will be yours to pay eventually. So politicians leverage our abject greed, envy, avarice, covetousness and even jealousy, to gain political points and tax revenue from our pockets with one hand, while pointing the blame at the corporations. Nice.


It's all so true... anything the free market can do government can royally eff up.

Wal-Mart's $4 perscriptions have done more for more people than any of the government's medicare plans. I shudder to think of what will happen if the retards in D.C. finally pass a nationalized healthcare system...

And of course now the talking heads are talking about a possible "gas-tax holiday" over the summer, that would reduce our prices for a whopping 3 months, by about $0.15 IIRC.

mastacox
05-07-2008, 07:19 AM
Man, after reading the OP more closely, I can definitely see how $2.99 gas for 3 years would push a lot of people to buy tow rigs through Dodge, since the plan includes Dodge Ram HD with a Cummins!

I'm also curious what the yearly limit would be on this, as in what prevents people for using the card for all of their vehicles?

The article says:


Yearly allotment of gallons provided
Annual gallon allotment ends each year on 7/31 (first year ends 7/31/09)

So what is the limit? Is it on a per-vehicle basis? Because a Dodge Ram HD will use a lot more in net gallons per year than a Caliber for example...

tulsa_sr5
05-07-2008, 07:51 AM
Say, 45mpg avg in a prius, just under .09/mile if gas is $4/gal. $2.99 gas you still need to get over 33mpg in your Chrylser before that deal comes out ahead. I think I'll stick with my plan to get a next gen prius thanks.

paddlenbike
05-08-2008, 11:55 AM
"The program is limited to 12,000 miles of driving annually based on the EPA combined city and highway fuel economy rating (lead foots may find they don’t get a full 12,000 miles in real-world driving) on the Chrysler vehicle purchased under the program, Landry said.. Thus, if the vehicle gets 28 miles per gallon, the customer will be able to purchase 428.5 gallons of gasoline at the program price, Chrysler said."

LINK (http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/565/chrysler-offers-gas-card-as-incentive/;_ylc=X3oDMTE0czZzZjBqBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRv ZGF5BHNsawNnYXMtY2FyZA--)

So at today's $3.73/gallon here in CA, you would save $308.52 the first year, assuming you travel all 12,000 of those miles. Over three years, you've saved $925. Fuel prices would have to go up considerably before you should take this incentive over the cheap interest rate or other cash back incentives. $925 is not nearly enough to get me into a Chrysler.

d0ubledown
05-09-2008, 06:36 PM
weve had that sort of thing up here...discounted gas card. when my sister got their saab (saturn/gm) a few years back, she got a card that saved ï½¢20/L on gas. she gave it to me...and i used it for my runner for a good summer. then it ran out. i think it had a 2000L cap.

you'll probably never see toyota doing this. they're not that desparate for sales...although it is a great incentive. still...itll take alot more than a gas discount card to get me to buy some domestic POS.